Over the past weeks, it’s been amazing studying God’s Word to explain the true meaning of the phrase “Hear, O Israel.” From Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Romans 10:17, and a few other Bible verses, we’ve seen how the phrase answers some of the most common questions about effective evangelism today. In this article, we’ll be taking it up from there to answer the question, “Why is the Hear O Israel prayer important to Jewish people?”
What Does the Hear O Israel Prayer Mean to Jewish People?
Just as I shared in the story of my transition from atheism to faith, I had numerous questions in my mind about several Jewish traditions as a young boy. But after I believed and started growing in the faith, I discovered that many of those traditions have deep spiritual roots and symbolize redemption and Christian devotion.
Below are three reasons the Hear O Israel prayer (otherwise called the Shema) is important to Jewish people.
1. The Shema Reminds the Jewish People of their Source
“Hear O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! (Deuteronomy 6:4)
The Shema reminds Orthodox Jews about God, His true identity and their relationship with Him. This is one thing I admire a lot about the Shema. The opening words, in particular, paint a beautiful picture of our Father, God, “the LORD our God, the LORD is one!”
This statement automatically negates the irritation of some people about the existence of God. Interestingly, King David sang the same truth many years after in Psalm 100.
Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. (Psalm 100:3)
So, the Shema is more of a call for the Jewish people to acknowledge the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as the only God. Continually saying the prayer helps Jewish people keep this golden truth in their minds.
2. The Shema Reminds Jewish People of their Responsibility to God
The Shema doesn’t only remind Jewish people of their Source; it also reminds them of their responsibility to God. As you probably know, the literal meaning of the word “Shema” is to hear or listen. However, the spiritual implication is beyond merely hearing with our ears. Look at what James says in the text below:
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. (James 1:22 – 24)
Hearing God’s Word is good, but God doesn’t want us to stop there. He wants us to believe whatever He says. God’s Word will bless a man only to the degree that it mixes with faith in his heart (Hebrews 4:2).
Besides believing, God also wants us to obey His instructions. As Yeshua said in John 14:15, a way to demonstrate our love for God is to keep His commandments.
So, Hear O Israel is more than a call to listen to God’s instructions; it is also an alarm to be obedient to the Lord’s direction or commands. One such command is to preach the Gospel of Yeshua to everyone (Mark 16:15). Both as believers and Christian evangelism ministries in Israel, we have the responsibility to evangelize the unsaved.
3. The Shema Preserves their Heritage of Faith
Have you ever wondered why the Shema is said while facing east? Well, the answer is found in Solomon’s prayer during the dedication of the Temple.
That Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, “My name shall be there,” that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place. (I King 8:29)
Solomon asked God to hear every prayer made by the people towards the temple. Since then, facing the temple during prayers has become a popular practice among the Jewish community (Daniel 6:10).
Jewish people who face east (towards the Temple) and recite the Shema have found a way of keeping to their heritage of faith.
Wrap Up
Primarily, the Shema reminds the Jewish people of their Source and their responsibility to God. But by extension, saying the prayer daily also signifies their allegiance to the kingdom of God and a way of keeping to the age-old tradition of praying towards the Temple. As Jewish people recite the Shema daily, we are also to daily share the Gospel through every means available.
If you find it challenging to kickstart evangelistic discussions, wearing a Yeshua t shirt is one way you might be able to provoke people’s interest and share the Gospel with them.