Secrets of the “Shema Yisrael” Prayer for Kavanot

Secrets of the “Shema Yisrael” Prayer for Kavanot

שְׁמַע יִשרָאֵל ה' אֱלהֵינוּ ה' אֶחָד - “Shema Yisrael Ado-nai Eloheinu, Ado-nai echad” — (Hear, O Israel: the L-rd is our G-d, the L-rd is One!) The two key words in the declaration of Jewish faith, “Shema Yisrael”—the first, “Shema,” and the last, “echad”—contain many secrets. By employing kavanot based on these secrets, a Jew greatly strengthens his prayer. 1. Shema and the Korbanot The letters of the two words שמע—“Shema”—and אחד—“echad”—correspond to the names of the korbanot: ש — Shelamim מ — Mincha ע — Olah א — Asham ח — Chatat ד — Dibbur By employing kavanot connecting the korbanot with the central words of the prayer, “Shema,” a person performs “hamtakat ha-dinim” (the sweetening of judgments) and alleviates the severity of the decrees. 2. Shema and the Patriarchs When Yosef was reunited with his father after a long separation, he fell on his neck and wept. Rashi says that Yaakov did not reciprocate and did not even kiss his son, because at that moment he was reciting the Shema and could not allow himself to be distracted. “Zera Shimshon” reveals, based on what is stated in the Zohar HaKadosh (III:236b): “The letters of the words שמע and אחד, if the letters ע-ד are removed from them, form the word ישמח “yismach” (he rejoiced) (א alternates with י)—meaning that Yaakov rejoiced. Yet the remaining letters also contain secrets: The letter ש in the word שמע symbolizes the three Patriarchs—Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. The letter ע in the word שמע is enlarged, and its gematria is 70. This reminds us that: Avraham, who symbolizes Mercy, built 70 bridges of mercy; Yitzchak, who symbolizes Judgment, fathered 70 heads of the Sanhedrin; Yaakov, who symbolizes Harmony, was the father of the 70 souls who descended to Egypt. Until that moment, Yaakov Avinu had never seen all 70 of his descendants together. Yosef’s appearance meant that all the shevatim (tribes) had reunited for the first time in many years. At that extraordinary moment, ישמח “yismach” (he rejoiced)—Yaakov Avinu—and he began reciting the “Shema.” The letter ד in “אחד” is also enlarged, and its gematria is 4. “Zera Shimshon” associates it with the four Imahot: Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel, and Leah. When we recite the Shema with these kavanot, we completely surround ourselves with the merits of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs. 3. The Rashash’s Segula Rashash—Rabbeinu Shalom Sharabi (zechuto yagen aleinu), in his famous “Siddur Rashash,” presents a segula for memory. In Parashat Pinchas (26:46), it says: - ושם בת אשר שרח “veshem bat Asher Serach” — (and the name of Asher’s daughter was Serach). The Rashash says that this pasuk contains great secrets. Reciting this pasuk three times in the “Kriat Shema al ha-mitah” prayer (before going to sleep), using the “yashar ve-hafuch” (forward and backward) method, is a powerful segula for memory.   (Based on the book “Zera Shimshon” on Vayigash, a lesson by Rabbi David Havush, and a lesson by Rabbi Yisrael Yakobov)