With all your heart

Shema Yisrael... the watchwords of our faith.

Show the world that you believe by donning this T-shirt from EllaKlara of Etsy

All HEAR this.

There are times I stumble upon a piece of Judaica which simply floors me... this Shema necklace did it this afternoon (okay, I was sitting so no harm befell the blogger).

Don Moti (two Australians, I believe) originally are from the former Soviet Union but now after schooling together, they created together.

By jove, I think he has got it!

So sad that it has taken nearly 8 years for Bush to say something I beleive in!
Bush: Israel has right to protect itself against Gaza attacks
WASHINGTON - U.S. President George W. Bush said Monday that he understands Israel's desire to protect itself, offering his first public comments about the U.S. ally's massive ground invasion into Gaza. Israel has moved tanks and troops into Gaza to target Hamas militants firing rockets at its southern communities. From the White House, Bush said Monday that Israel has the right to defend itself against rocket attacks by Gaza rulers Hamas. The president said he is still hopeful there will be a cease-fire, calling it "a noble ambition." But, he said, no peace deal will work unless it forces Hamas to stop its attacks.
Meamwhile, the White House said Monday that the United States wants a cease-fire as soon as possible but insists that it be durable. White House spokeswoman Dana Perino, while backing Israel's Gaza offensive as the state's right to defend itself, urged it to be "very cautious when it comes to civilian casualties." "We want it to be kept to a minimum," she told reporters. Asked how quickly the United States wants to see a cease-fire in place, she said, "We would like it as soon as possible but it has to be something that is durable."

The rustic mezuzah above is from Zagit Gale.

The sound of one hand...

From Ruth Tarragano, an organic appearing polymer clay hamsa with the Shema.

Listen up...

Our sages teach us that the original recitation of the phrase "Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokaynu Hashem Echad" dates back to our Father Jacob. We are taught that at the close of Yaakov's life he called all of his children to his bed side to say farewell and reveal the destiny of the Jewish people. When he was unsuccessful sharing his visions and divine insights regarding the future of the Jewish people he grew despondent and concerned that perhaps his children (the original children of Israel) were not true to the G-d of Israel. At that anxiety filled moment Jacob's children recited in unison "Shema Yisrael... Echad". This provided comfort and fulfillment to him at the closing moments of life on this earth.

Does your congregation recite the words of the Shema loudly and then follow in a whisper or silently with the words Baruch Shem K'vod Malchuto L'olam vaed? Do you know why this custom arose? Aparently while on his deathbed, Jacob was bestowing his last bits of knowlege upon his sons. Upon hearing his words, his sons cry out "Shema Yisrael (Jacob’s other name)—O listen Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One," and Jacob, so weak he can barely speak, says "Baruch shem kavod…" Because Jacob said it in a whisper, so do we.

Michelle and David Plachte-Zuieback designed this installation for Temple Valley Beth Shalom of Encino, California. This couple's interest & exploration of religious themes has been encouraged by their work as stained glass specialists for UAHC Camp Swig Institute for Living Judaism, where they have offered an intensive stained glass workshops for junior high & high school students annualy, since 1983.

CENTRALITY OF THE SHEMA

The Shema- a blessing we learn as children. It is the prayer that I assume I will recite as I leave this earth (I certainly say it enough times when I am in an airplane- just in case!!!). Perhaps the Shema's nearness to my heart encouraged me to create this mixed media piece... It is composed of woven paper: one sheet contains the words of the Shema and the second is watercolored. Atop these intertwined pieces I embossed SHEMA.

Jews say two especially important prayers every day: the Shema and the Amidah. We fulfill the biblical commandment (mitzvah) to say the Shema every morning and evening when we say its first verse, "Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One." The rabbis, however, required us to add three additional paragraphs, drawn from the books of Deuteronomy and Numbers. Besides our reciting the Shema daily, we also say it before going to sleep, over a baby boy the night before his ritual circumcision (brit milah), and before we die.

The commandments to which the Shema refers - tefillin (leather boxes containing parchments that are put on a man's head and arm), mezuzah (a parchment with Torah verses that we put on our doorposts), Tzitzit (fringes that are put on a four-cornered garment), and remembering the Exodus from Egypt - are also part of our daily lives.

Thus, the Shema literally accompanies us from cradle to grave. The Minchat Chinuch explains why the Shema and its mitzvot (commandments) "surround" us: People tend to be drawn to materialism and give in to their lusts by following foolish, worldly pleasures. We need constant reminders that we are part of God's Cabinet and have responsibilities to Him. Without these reminders, we can't keep focused on what God put us here to do. His lovingkindness determined that we should say the Shema twice a day to help us stay on track spiritually.

The general purpose of any mitzvah is to preserve and heighten our spiritual wholesomeness and to attach us to God. Saying the Shema reminds us that our thoughts, speech, and actions affect the entire universe. That, in turn, encourages us to live with ongoing devotion and fervor in our service to the Almighty.

The Shema also refocuses us at least twice a day so that we are not derailed by constant exposure to forces that negate our spirituality. The Shema can help us regain our spiritual bearings and infuse us with tremendous spiritual energy only if we appreciate and concentrate on what we are saying. From Rabbi Lisa AIken... more of this essay can be found here.