The Shema
Overview
The Shema is Israel’s central confession from Deuteronomy 6:4-5: the Lord is one, and Israel must love him with the whole heart, soul, and might.
Biblical Significance
Moses placed the Shema at the heart of covenant life. It binds exclusive worship to whole-person love and becomes a daily confession of Israel’s identity before God.
Key Passages
- Deuteronomy 6:4-5
- Deuteronomy 11:13-21
- Mark 12:29-31
Related Notes
Notes
Jesus names the Shema’s command to love God as the greatest commandment and joins it to love of neighbor.