1)

What ar the connotations of "Sh'ma Yisrael"?

1.

Seforno: It means that Yisrael should reflect ... .

2.

Targum Yonasan: With reference to the sons of Ya'akov, who, in answer to their fathers fear that the there was a (spiritual) defect among them, declared in unison "Listen Yisrael our father, Hashem is our G-d ... "! 1

3.

B'rachos, 15a: It implies that, when reciting the Sh'ma, one is obligated to hear what one is saying.

4.

B'rachos, 13a: It implies that as long as one hears what one is saying, one can recite the Sh'ma in any language. 2


1

Targum Yonasan: At which Ya'akov exclaimed 'Baruch Shem K'vodo Le'olam Va'ed!' It is unclear however, how Yonasan translates the current Pasuk. See Oznayim la'Torah, 'Sh'ma Yisrael #2 who elaborates.

2

See Torah Temimah, note 3.

2)

If "Sh'ma Yisrael" means that one only needs to hear what one is saying, from where do we know that K'ri'as Sh'ma requires Kavanah?

1.

B'rachos, 16a: We learn that the first Pasuk of Sh'ma 1 requires Kavanah from a Gezeirah Shavah "Sh'ma" and "Haskeis u'Sh'ma" 2 in Ki Savo, 27:9.


1

See Torah Temimah, note 8. See also Oznayhim la'Torah DH 'Sh'ma Yisrael, #6, who discusses 'Baruch Shem ... '.

2

See Torah Temimah, note 8

3)

What is the difference between "Hashem" and "Elokim"?

1.

Hashem means 'the Omnipotent G-d', 1 whereas 'Elokim" means 'the G-d who judges and supervises our deeds, and who rewards and punishes us'. 2


1

It hints to 'Hayah, Hoveh ve'Yih'eh' (was, is and will be - implying that He is above time. The letters of these words comprise 'Yud Kei Vav Kei' three times (PF).

2

See the first five 'Ani Ma'amins' of the Rambam.

4)

What is the significance of the fact that we mention the Name of Hashem after two words and the Mal'achim, only after three ("Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh, Hashem ... ) See Torah Temimah, note 10?

1.

Chulin, 91b: It teaches us that Yisrael are more beloved by Hashem than the angels. 1


1

Presumably, because Yisrael perform Mitzvos of their own freewill, whereas Mal'achim do the will of Hashem because they have to..

5)

What are the implications of "Hashem Elokeinu"?

1.

Ramban: "Sh'ma Yisrael ... " is actually an elaboration of the first of the Aseres ha'Dibros - the Mitzvah of "Anochi" (declaring the Oneness of G-d).

2.

Seforno: It implies that Hashem

6)

What is the meaning of "Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad"? Why does the Pasuk insert the Name "Hashem" twice?

1.

Rashi: It means that Hashem, 1 who is currently our G-d (Elokeinu), but not of the Nochrim, will eventually become One (because also they will recognize Him). 2

2.

Da'as Zekenim and Hadar Zekenim (in 5:1): Had it said only 'Sh'ma Yisrael Hashem Echad', every nation would have said that their idolatry is one. Now that it says "Hashem Elokeinu", it is known that it is discussing Elokei Yisrael. Had it said Hashem Elokeinu 3 Echad, this would imply that Elokeinu is one of the gods, and all the more so if it would say Elokeinu Echad. Now that it says twice "Hashem Elokeinu Hashem", it means that Hashem, who is our Master, is one in Lordship, and there is none other than Him.

3.

Oznayim la'Torah: It means that. irrespective of whether Hakadosh-Baruch-Hu exercises Midas Rachamim ("Hashem") or Midas ha'Din ("Elokeinu"), "Hashem Echad", it is always Rachamim - because even His Midas ha'Din is for our good, like a father to a son.


1

Havayah

7)

Why did Moshe use the term "Hashem Elokeinu" and not "Hashem Elokecha" as we find throughout the Torah and especially in Seifer Devarim (See the following Pasuk)?

1.

Ramban: In order to include himself in the Mitzvah of declaring Hashem One. 1

2.

Targum Yonasan: This was first said in a dialogue between Ya'akov and his sons, where, in reply to his query as to whether their Emunah was complete, they exclaimed in unison 'Sh'ma Yisrael Avinu, Hashem Elokeinu ... !' 2 'Listen Yisrael our father ... !'

3.

Oznayim la'Torah: Because the Torah is presenting this Pasuk as if it was being said by Yisrael - just as it was said the first time by the sons of Ya'akov 3 - as in answer #2.


1

Ramban: Bearing in mind that Hashem performed with Moshe many wondrous deeds in order to elevate him and enhance his name. It is therefore correct that Moshe makes it clear that he does not exclude himself from the Mitzvah. See Rav Chavel's footnotes (I do not know why this depends on the wonders He did with Moshe, nor why we find "Hashem Elokeinu" about another twenty times in Seifer Devarim, and "Hashem Elokecha" about two hundred times! PF).

2

Targum Yonasan: To which Ya'akov responded 'Baruch Shem Kevodo...!'

3

See Oznayim la'Torah

8)

What are the connotations of "Hashem Echad"?

1.

Rashi (in B'rachos, 13b): It means that Hashem is One 1 in Heaven, on earth and in all directions. 2

2.

Seforno: It means that there is nothing that can compare to the existence of Hashem, who created existence when there was nothingness. Consequently, He is detached from this (finite) world, from the world of the planets, from the world of angels, and He exists Alone in the fourth world. 3

3.

Rashbam: It means that we will serve Hashem, who alone is our G-d, 4 and under no circumstances will we combine any other deity with Him, even to divine whilst still believing that there is no G-d other than Hashem. 5

4.

Yerushalmi B'rachos, 1:5: It implies that Evadim, who have another master besides Hashem, are Peturim from reciting the Sh'ma. 6

5.

Oznayim la'Torah: As opposed to the children of Avraham and of Yitzchak, who split up into different nations, the children of Ya'akov all united into one natqion serving the One G-d. 7


1

'And there is no Oneness like Him in any form or fashion (Rambam, in the second 'Ani Ma'amin').

2

'The world of the Kisei ha'Kavod'.

3

See Peninim mi'Shulchan ha'Gra.

4

Rashbam: As the Pasuk states in Divrei ha'Yamim 2, 13:10.

5

Refer to 5:7:1:3.

6

See Torah Temimah, note 15.

7

See Oznayim la'Torah, DH 'Sh'ma Yisrael' #2.

9)

What is the difference between the Mitzvah of "Anochi" (in the Aseres ha'Dibros) and that of "Shema Yisrael"?

1.

Ramban #1: "Sh'ma" is coming to elaborate on the Mitzvah of "Anochi", which is the unification of Hashem's holy Name.

2.

Ramban #2 (in Yisro) 1 : "Anochi" is the Mitzvah of Kabalas Ol Malchus Shamayim, whereas "Sh'ma" is that of the unification of Hashem's holy Name.


1

Refer to Sh'mos, 20:3:1:1* and see R. Chavel's footnotes.

10)

Why is the 'Ayin' in "Shema" big?

1.

Seforno: To hint that we should open our eyes and think deeply about the Oneness of Hashem. 1

2.

Ba'al ha'Turim #1: Because Hashem gave the Torah which has seventy names and can be explained in seventy ways to Yisrael, who also have seventy names. 2

3.

Ba'al ha'Turim #2: Refer to 6:4:8:5.

4.

Perhaps it is in case people switch the 'Ayin' for an 'Alef' 3 , and it will sound like 'Shema' (perhaps), Chas ve'Shalom. (PF)


1

Refer to 6:4:5:2.

2

See Ba'al ha'Turim, Bamidbar 11:16.

3

Ramban (in Shabbos 103b): Rashi explains that 'Ayin' and 'Alef' are pronounced similarly; others maintain that their forms are similar.

11)

Why is the 'Daled' in "Echad" big?

1.

Ramban (according to Kabalah): It hints at the great Name of Hashem. 1

2.

Seforno: Because Hashem exists alone in the fourth world. 2

3.

Ba'al ha'Turim #1: To teach us that we should declare Hashem King over Heaven and earth and over all four directions.

4.

Ba'al ha'Turim #2 (citing Shir ha'Shirim Rabah 5:11): To avoid confusing it with a 'Reish' - reading it 'Acher' (Chas ve'Shalom). 3

5.

Ba'al ha'Turim #3: In conjunction with the large 'Ayin' in 'Echad", it spells 'Eid' - a hint that Yisrael testify to Hashem's Oneness. 4

6.

Refer to Sh'mos 32:7:3:2.


1

Ramban: See Yeshayah, 63:12. Corresponding to which the Chachamim inserted the Pasuk "Baruch Sheim ... " in the Sh'ma - See Pesachim, 56a.

2

Refer to 6:4:5:2.

3

Ba'al ha'Turim: And by the same token the 'Reish' in "Lo Sishtachaveh le'Eil Acher" (Sh'mos 34:14) is written large to avoid confusing it with a 'Daled', and reading it 'Echad' (Chas ve'Shalom).

4

Ba'al ha'Turim: As the Pasuk states in Yeshayah, 43:10. And by the same token, Hashem testifies to the greatness of Yisrael, as the Navi states in Mal'achi, 3:5.

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

12)

Rashi writes in Parshas Shoftim, 20:3 that even if Yisrael had only the merit of Keri'as Sh'ma, they would be worthy of Hashem's salvation. What is the connection between the two ?

1.

Da'as Zekenim and Rosh (in 4:2): Because there are two hundred and forty-eight words in Keri'as Sh'ma, and, 1 and Hashem guards the two hundred and forty-eight limbs of those who says it properly. 2


1

Da'as Zekenim and Rosh: Really, we need three more words to complete 248 (including Baruch Shem Kevod

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