View source for Shema Yisrael

'''Shema Yisrael''' ([[Hebrew]]: '''שמע ישראל'''; "Hear, [O] Israel") are the opening two words of a passage in the [[Torah]], which is used as a focal point for [[Judaism|Jewish]] [[prayer]] services, and encapsulates the monotheistic message of Judaism. It is considered to be one of the most important prayers in Judaism, and twice-daily recitation of it is a [[mitzvah]]. 

It is found in [[Deuteronomy]] 6:4-5. 

:: "''Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength''" 

It is also a very important concept in [[Christianity]]: when asked what the most important commandment in Christianity was, [[Jesus]] replied that this was the greatest [[commandment]],<ref>[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%2012:28-34;&version=64; Mark 12:28-34] (NIV) Accessed July 2, 2007</ref><ref>[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2022:37-40;&version=64; Matthew 22:37-40] (NIV) Accessed July 2, 2007</ref> and that, together with the [[Golden Rule]], they formed the summation of Christian teaching.

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[[Category:Judaism]]