God's Hidden Monument

THE SHEMA is the central prayer in the Jewish prayerbook (Siddur) and is often the first section of Scripture that a Jewish child learns. During its recitation in the synagogue, Orthodox Jews pronounce each word very carefully and cover their eyes with their right hand. Many Jews recite the Shema at least twice daily:  once in the morning and once in the evening. Parts of the Shema are written on a small scroll which is then rolled up and put inside a mezuzah.

• Hear It Sung (by Paul Wilbur)

The two letters Ayin and Dalet are enlarged in the first of the Shema. Together, these letters form the word 'ed, which means "witness," suggesting that the Shema is a testimony of the sovereignty of God and our primary duty to love Him with our whole being: