Mini-Guide
D'var Tefilot (Words about Prayers): Shema

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The following paragraph, called the V'Ahavta (because that's the first word of the paragraph) is usually chanted. The chant follows the traditional trope, or notes for chanting readings from the Torah. We then read the V'ahavta in English and recall its central message, to truly learn and live the words of the Torah.

In many congregations, the readings following the V'ahavta are optional readings.

The first section stresses the love of God and the duty of educating ourselves and future generations in the Torah. The section is taken from Deuteronomy 6:4-9. This section also suggests "learning aids." From the interpretation of the statement "you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes," the tefillin evolved. Tefillin are implements worn on the arm and on the head that have the Shema inscribed in them. Similarly, from the interpretation of the statement, "you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates," evolved the practice of placing a mezuzah on the doorposts of Jewish homes.

The second section, taken from Deuteronomy 11:13-2, emphasizes the conviction that moral law is the counterpart of the natural law, since evil-doing inevitably brings disaster in its wake. This is reflected in the history of humanity. 1).

The third section, taken from Numbers 15:37-41, reminds us of the importance of ritual and ceremony as gateways to faith and morality. For example, this section discusses wearing fringes on the borders of clothing, a tradition that has evolved into the tallit, the prayer shawl. When reciting this part of the prayer, people traditionally gather the tzitzit¾ fringes on the corners of the tallit¾ and wrap them around the index finger of their right hand. When the word tzitzit is mentioned, they kiss the tzitzit.