Shhhh:The Secret of S'hma

D'varim 6:5

A curious scene occurred on a September day in 1825 on a Grand Island, situated in the Niagara river between New York state and Canada. A cornerstone was laid, with great pomp, on it inscribed were the English words: ARARAT: A City of Refuge for the Jews. Founded by Mordecai Manuel Noah in the month of Tizri 5586, Sept. 1825 and in the 50th Year of American Independence. 

Below those words, in Hebrew was a biblical verse in Hebrew: The S’hma. 

Mordecai Manuel Noah and the abandoned proto-zionist Ararat project has fueled  interest for novels, films and PhD dissertations, but what interests us today are the six Hebrew words inscribed, till this day, on this stone.

Noah chose it for a reason. If there was to be The Jewish bumper sticker  it is likely to include this six word verse turned prayer known as The S’hma - Hear O Israel, etc.  This ‘testament of faith’ evolved over the centuries to be the super star of david mantra that pious Jews recite at least twice daily. It is reserved for crises, the final moment of life and for the big moments of festive worship. And it’s believed to be the ultimate statement about God’s exclusive status and unique covenant with Israel - but - is it?? And while we’re exploring this verse that shows up in today’s chapter we may as well go deeper into the murky waters of monotheism. It is assumed that Judaism gave the gift of monotheist faith to the world - only one (male?) God presides over the operation, not a pantheon of deities. But where does this idea come from? Because it’s not very apparent in the Bible, actually.. The S’hma may hold a clue to this theological evolution. 

שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהֹוָ֥ה ׀ אֶחָֽד׃ 

Hear, O Israel! Adonai is our God, Adonai alone. 

Or is it: 

The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

Dv 6:5

The S’hma is our supposed  statement of monothesitic  fidelity but actually it’s quite ambiguous, with the last word “echad” giving careful readers the most pause. One? Unique? Single? Ultimate? Exclusive? 

“What is this verse trying to communicate? Despite its brevity, many interpretations have been offered, suggests Prof.Kenneth Seeskin, in an illuminating article in which he lists at least three options, including:

“Monolatrous—Is it about loyalty, “YHWH alone is our God”? This would mean that there are other gods, but that they are not “ours.”

Numerical Monotheism—Does it mean “YHWH is the only God,” which would be monotheistic according to the arithmetic understanding?

Philosophical Monotheism—­Does it mean “YHWH is one,” i.e., that in addition to being the only God, YHWH is unified and unlike anything else?”

Beyond philosophy - the S’hma is what most people know, whether it makes sense to them or not. It is traditional to cover one’s eyes when reciting it so that we focus on the command - ‘to hear’ this echo in our heart - another way in which our tradition invites us to prioritize the inner voice over external distractions. 

“The command is “Hear, 0 Israel.” is, first of all, to hear. If you don’t hear the Shema Yisrael, where are you? So you must first hear. Now, if you are listening, and answer, “Here I am. I am listening,” then perhaps a message can come through.” Wrote the late Rabbi Lord Sacks.  Whether it is engraved on cornerstones or your heart, hidden inside your mezuzah or inscribed on the walls of our sacred gathering places - this mysterious mantra has made its way to what makes meaning most and most assuring - the reminder, that somehow, and always, we are always connected, and all part of one web of life. The rest is theology that we’ll get to as this bible rolls on, evolving just like us. 

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