The Prayer “Shema Yisrael” — or How to Abrogate 84 Fast Days
Kavanot of Shema Yisrael
The Talmud states (tractate Shabbat):
— “Rabbi Abahu said: Why was Jerusalem destroyed? Because the Jews nullified Shema Yisrael in the morning and evening.”
Was the entire Temple destroyed because of Shema?
The prophet Yeshayahu (5:11) alluded to this:
— “Woe to those who rise early in the morning to pursue strong drink and linger late into the night, inflamed by wine” — instead of reciting Shema in the morning and evening, they pursued pleasures;
— “They despised the word of Israel” — referring to the words of the sons before their forefather Yaakov’s death:
“Shema Yisrael, Hashem Elokeinu, Hashem Echad” — (Hear, O Israel: the L-rd is our G-d, the L-rd is One) — our forefather Yaakov replied: “Baruch Shem Kevod Malchuto le’olam va’ed” (Blessed is the Name of the glory of His kingdom forever and ever).
Maharsha explains the prophet’s words: they did not recite it at the proper time.
The Arizal on Shema
We are under the dominion of the realm of the kelipot, yet even in their captivity we remain holy.
What keeps us pure? Shema in the morning and evening.
Shema Yisrael possesses an Ohr Makif (surrounding light), which protects us from the morning prayer until evening and from the evening prayer until midnight.
The Holy Zohar on Shema
“When morning awakens, he rises, overcoming sleep like a lion, to serve his Master with many songs and praises. Throughout the day he engages in Torah, ‘and at night he does not lie down until he has devoured his prey.’ (Bamidbar 23)
When a person lies down in his bed, he sanctifies the Supernal Name and enthrones Him above and below. Many angels appointed over judgment are bound before him when, lying in bed, he recites Shema Yisrael and asks mercy from the Holy King, reciting the pesukim of mercy.
Rabbi Eliezer said: ‘A person who performs the mitzvot should not lie down until he has slain 1,125 evil forces surrounding him.’ (Zohar on Balak, Sulam, Tzvi Nisan Zon)
Shema Before Bed
Maran Yosef Karo states in the Shulchan Aruch:
Shema consists of 245 words, and the three words from the prophet Yirmeyahu (10:10): “Hashem Elokim Emet” bring the total to 248 according to gematria. The word “romach” (spear) also has the value 248, corresponding to the 248 parts of the body. The spear stands and protects against impure forces. Each word of Shema corresponds to one of the 248 limbs.
Reciting Shema in the middle of the night before going to sleep — at the height of the impure forces’ influence — is the secret to destroying 1,125 mazikim (beings created through the wasteful spilling of seed). This sin requires 84 fasts.
If a person recites Shema before bed with kavanah, he is able to destroy 1,125 mazikim.
Whoever drinks 86 grams of wine has his tefillah to’evah (his prayer is not accepted — it is considered an abomination); one should not drink before prayer. Therefore, the prophet compares failing to recite Shema to drinking wine.
(Based on a video lesson by Rabbi Daniel Cohen, “Shaarei Ha-Emet”)
“Shema Yisrael” — or How to Abrogate 84 Fast Days
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Tags: Prayer, Number 84, Shema Yisrael, Tikkunim, Psalm 84, Shema Yisrael and 84 Fasts, Kavanot of Shema
