RMPS - Int2/Higher - World Religions - Judaism - Education Scotland

THE GOALS
The Shema is the most important declaration of Jewish faith. Its first
sentence is the central statement of Jewish faith and is a sentiment with
which all Jews throughout the world can identify. It is recited in the
morning and evening services, and said before going to sleep.
The above source is the first part of this declaration. The reference to
‘thou shalt love’ is the first instance in human history that the love of
God was demanded in any religion. This love is the distinctive mark of a
worshipper who surrenders his mind and heart to God’s will. It involves
man constantly striving to get spiritually closer to God. This
unconditional love requires praying ‘with all thy heart’. ‘With all thy
soul’ can be explained as ‘with your whole life’. ‘With all thy might’ can
be explained as’ with your full concentration and power’. Such love is
the true mark of man’s devotion to God.
The remainder of the passage contains further commands. The first
concerns teaching this commandment to one’s children and its daily
recitation. The final two command Jews to wear tefillin and to place a
mezuzah on the doorposts of their houses. The mezuzah contains this
section of the Shema. It is a solid reminder to everyone who enters and
leaves the house that the people living in this house are Jewish and are
likely to uphold the principles of the Shema.
Daily prayers include blessings before and after food, and at other times
during the day. Each type of food has its own special blessing. For
example there is a special blessing before eating fruit, and another
blessing before eating bread. Deuteronomy 8: 10 commands Jews to
bless God after they have eaten. This commandment is fulfilled by
reciting an appropriate grace after eating. These prayers can be recited
anywhere, but they are usually recited at home.
Jews are also expected to acknowledge God’s kingship of the world on
many other occasions. For example there are special blessings for
hearing thunder or seeing a rainbow. Where children are taught these
blessings and encouraged to say them, it becomes natural for them to
see ordinary everyday things as opportunities for serving, thanking and
remembering God. These prayers can be said anywhere.
RMPS: WORLD RELIGIONS – JUDAISM (INT 2, H) 31
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