Sh'ma Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai eh-chad!
Ba-ruch sheim k'vod mal-chu-to l'o-lam va-ed!
The most famous of Jewish prayers is the Sh’ma. It is a mitzvah to make the declaration of the sh’ma morning and night. Beside being found in the Jewish prayer books, it is one of the first Jewish texts taught to young children.
The first line states G_d is One. One, Echad. It is said that anyone lengthening the word Echad is actually lengthening their days and years. Kind of a neat concept. The idea of G_d is One means to me, that not only is their only One G_d but G_d and whole of creation is One. Nothing we see, hear, perceive, exists outside of G-d. Everything in life is a manifestation of G-d.
Energy. Can you feel the energy of the universe around you? There is a stream of energy that fills the universe. It is coming from G_d. Though He created the universe many eons ago, He keeps it alive with this stream of energy. As Maimonides said “G_d can exist without the world, but the world can not exist without G_d”. So if G-d were to stop the stream of energy to the world, it would no longer exist.
Love Adonai your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words, which I command you on this day, shall be on your heart. Teach them faithfully to your children; speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise. Bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. Write them on the doorposts of your house, and upon your gates.... That you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy unto your God.
One of my favorite versions of the Sh’ma is the one sung by Debbie Friedman.
Tonight as you say the Sh'ma, feel the energy surrounding you as you pray. Know that you are one with G_d and He is one with you.
Shabbat Shalom
I would like to take a moment now to that Toby for allowing me the privilege to cover her journal this week. What a wonderful learning time for me. Kathi
2 comments:
I must say You are most Welcome, Kathi... You took a load off my hands. It was fun to sit back and look what someone else would do with the blog... A week off should hopefully give me a new spirit!
it was fun Toby. I learned more doing it then I thought I would. I hope you are enjoying your vacation :)
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