BS”D
This entry is dedicated to my solider Gal ben Sarah and all the other soldiers fighting in the IDF, to , may G-d protect you and guide you and the power of our prayers be answered in the affirmative speedily, for we know that from our creator is the source of all good and justice. We have no protection without you and our enemies have no power when you are with us!
A detailed look into the theology of Shema
G-d is the cause of all causes as it states He created the world and ALL its hosts (Genesis 2:1)- the hosts are all creations (what we see and feel in this world) and only the Creator is the cause, he is unique and hidden from us (spiritual and incorporeal) , but always present.
G-d is one there is no other Deuteronomy 4:39 reads
Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the L-rd is G-d in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other G-d but him alone.
The Israelites declare in Shema (meaning listen i.e. and be a witness to the declaration) -Deuteronomy 6:4: "Hear O Israel Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is one” i.e. unique unlike anything of which there are in the physical world - and then we add silently - Blessed be his glorious kingdom for all time!
We later state another verse in Shema, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, the command to love G-d with all our hearts, with our lives our very spirit and our might - possessions. For a Jew this means there should be no place for worship but only to the holy source of life - no other, no person, no creation and no prophets, honor yes but worship no -as all the hosts are ancillary and subservient to the one and only true King of Kings - L-rd of hosts!
Let’s look further in Deuteronomy 4:15, 16. “Take heed exceedingly for your souls, because you did not see any image on that day that the L-rd spoke to you from the midst of the fire. Lest you corrupt yourselves and make for yourselves an idol, the image of any symbol, be it the likeness of a male or female, the likeness of any beast of the earth.” This describes all physical elements of this world, again I think many people fall into this trap as Israel did when they danced around an image of the calf – they thought they were worshiping G-d through a medium, but G-d did not want that, in fact we the Israelites were almost destroyed as a result but were saved by Moses and his prayers – how do we know he prayed, as it is written G-d said release me and I will destroy them (Deuteronomy 9:14.) How can Moses hold G-d that he needs to be released? I heard from my rabbi - Rabbi Aurbach, he should be well, that the verse shows us the power of the righteous when they pray – G-d will not destroy if Moses wanted otherwise! So never under estimate the power of your prayers and never scoff at the prayers of good people, poor or rich, sick or healthy - I am of the firm view the more distress the more powerful the prayers this was a crises and the prayers said in earnest were answered in the affirmative. At times our prayers are denied and at these times we are required to have faith in Hashem, accepting that the Omnipresent has knowledge of what is for the best even though we do not always understand. In the Amidah we say "Gomel Chasidim Tovim" bestower of kindness that is good, but is kindness not always good, sometimes kindness done by man may not turn out for the good, (insight from to remain a Jew by Yischak Zilber), but we should know what ever happens to us is for the ultimate good even when we do not understand the bigger picture, humans may think they are being kind by giving cash but it may go to a drug addict - he may use it for drugs, therefore humans do their best but it is not always for the best, but our creator, our father in heaven always does what is best even when it hurts us, i.e. Bestower of kindness that is good. We should always see the good in his works and the experiances we have should be pleasent, if not have faith that this is how it is meant to be hold strong and try and grow from the experiance (IYH). If need be be angry, question and ask but never ever give up hope. If you see another suffering remember who bestowed you with that feeling of mercy, and use the emotion to draw close, for surely the bestower of mercy, has the greatest mercy of all. (Heard from Rabbi Wasserzug - a true and righteous rabbi.)
If G-d is one as stated, why in Genesis 1:26 – Does G-d say let us make man in our image? Knowing this could lead to polytheism (false belief in mutiple gods or independent powers outside of the one creator) and Idolatry, the verse at first glance seemingly contradics Deuteronomy 4:39 and 6:4 mentioned above. Hashem used the term "Us" -but do not be led astray, there is no contradiction be careful in thoughts as the path to Idol worship is laden with false bliss and slopes that are slippery –thus it states in Shema: Deuteronomy 11 v 16 "Beware that your hearts are not deceived, and that you do not turn away and serve other gods and worship them” so do not follow the heart and eyes that lead you astray he who follows the heart and emotions, the spiritual feelings from inside may place himself in danger to be led astray. The Torah is truth as Bag Bag said in ethics of our Fathers - turn it over and turn it over again for everything is in it. By doing so we ensure we grow every day, now let’s examine the text to explain the “us” in the above verse and the meaning as taught by Rashi of blessed memory - true it says “Us” but then the very next verse states
"So G-d created man in his image" Genesis 1:27- in the singular, so why state "Us” in the prior verse, there must be a lesson to learn? – G-d was showing the importance of consulting before endeavoring on large scale projects - making man in all his glory was the main reason of creation as the Torah testifies to the completion of man as being very good. (I heard from Chief rabbi Goldstein that Man is the only creature that walks in a totally upright position as he has a higher purpose.) Genesis 1:31; Rashi and Rabbi Chaim Volozhin state the "us" is Hashem consulting with the Angels (there are good angels and accusing angels) and also contains words to the other elements of creation, Rabbi Chaim Volozhin the Nefesh ha Chaim a student of the Vilna Gaon wrote that Hashem was describing how man was being made from the elements of nature from the essence of different elements of creation, e.g animals i.e. Man can be cruel as a lion or fast as a deer, zealous as an ant or acting like a glutton like a pig, angry as fire, uncontrolled as water – I think I have labored this point.
By name these men are but messengers from the originator i.e. the Creator (as stated above) . At the time they came by the Torah states that Hashem was communicating with Abraham prophetically at the tent, so what is going on here why did Abraham address the three people as one, sources answer this question well:
G-d was visiting Abraham in a prophetic vision (Genesis 18:1) in this vision; three people appeared in the distance. Abraham saw them, ran to greet them, and said (Genesis 18:3), “My master if I have found favor in your eyes, please do not leave your servant.” He then continued to offer food, drink and comfort to the strangers. To whom did Abraham address the request not to leave? There is a debate among the commentaries whether “my masters” is plural and refers to the three men; whether it is singular and refers to the leader of the group; or whether “my master” is actually the name of G-d, and Abraham is addressing G-d Himself (Rashi).
Rashi cites the last opinion and explains that if we read “my Master” as G-d’s name then Abraham was actually asking G-d, in the middle of a prophecy, to wait while he took care of his guests! What an important command is hospitality; it was one of the traits that endeared Abraham to the holy one blessed be he!
So who in fact were these three angels Rashi elaborates:
• Michael – to deliver the news of Sarah giving birth (kindness)
• Raphael – to heal Abraham who had just been circumcised (healing)
• Gabriel – to tell Abraham the news that he had been tasked to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.(judgment)
The Talmud deduces from this that “Greater is hospitality to guests than even being in the Divine Presence” (Shabbos 127a). So to do his will endear yourself to your brothers and sisters and take time out to remove yourselves from your spiritual abodes– and help repair the world as our forefather Abraham of blessed memory did.
Out of interest a bit further on in Genesis 19:27 states early the next morning Abraham got up to the place where he stood before the L-rd, I heard from my Rabbi, Rabbi Aurbach we learn from this text that a person should designate a specific place for prayer, this being the special meeting place set by ourselves to show honor and to connect with our source our creator.
Zechariah 14:9 And the L-RD will be king over all the earth. On that day the L-RD will be one and his name one.
So who in fact were these three angels Rashi elaborates:
• Michael – to deliver the news of Sarah giving birth (kindness)
• Raphael – to heal Abraham who had just been circumcised (healing)
• Gabriel – to tell Abraham the news that he had been tasked to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.(judgment)
The Talmud deduces from this that “Greater is hospitality to guests than even being in the Divine Presence” (Shabbos 127a). So to do his will endear yourself to your brothers and sisters and take time out to remove yourselves from your spiritual abodes– and help repair the world as our forefather Abraham of blessed memory did.
Out of interest a bit further on in Genesis 19:27 states early the next morning Abraham got up to the place where he stood before the L-rd, I heard from my Rabbi, Rabbi Aurbach we learn from this text that a person should designate a specific place for prayer, this being the special meeting place set by ourselves to show honor and to connect with our source our creator.
Zechariah 14:9 And the L-RD will be king over all the earth. On that day the L-RD will be one and his name one.
Nehemia 9:6 You alone are the L-rd. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and the luminaries, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. Your preserve all of them and the host of heaven worship you.
What does the prophet Isaiah say on the above here are some excerpts
Isaiah 37:16
“L-rd Almighty, the G-d of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are G-d over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth
Isaiah 40:26-31
Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing
Rabbi Aurbach mentioned - that each star in the heavens has its own purpose and an influence in the world - hense Isaiah mentioning G-d giving each a name and thus the verse that follows goes onto mention the greatness and power of the creation or more correctly and specifically its Creator who bestowed power to his creations! How blessed we are how awesome is the creation in which we live.
He did it and no other
Refer to Isaiah 45:12
Refer to Isaiah 45:12
It is I who made the earth
and created mankind on it.
My own hands stretched out the heavens;
I marshaled their starry hosts.
Extract from the coming revolution by Zamir Cohen "Our sages described the stars in the Talmud - (G-d said to the people of Israel) I created 12 constellations in the firmanent Libra,Scorpio,Pices etc. and for each consteallation I created 30 hosts {clusters of stars around each of the 12 signs}, and for each host I created 30 Legions {30 legions of stars around the 30 hosts} and for each legion I created 30 divisions, and for each division I created 30 battalions, and for each battalion I created 30 camps, and to each camp I have attached three hundred and sixty five thousand tens of thousands of stars, corresponding to the days of the solar year, and all of them I have created only for your sake" = 1064,340,000,000,000,000 stars in total ! At a time when the naked eye could only count about 4000 stars - and they never had
telescopes!!! It's knowledge that came to us direct from Sinai...
and created mankind on it.
My own hands stretched out the heavens;
I marshaled their starry hosts.
Extract from the coming revolution by Zamir Cohen "Our sages described the stars in the Talmud - (G-d said to the people of Israel) I created 12 constellations in the firmanent Libra,Scorpio,Pices etc. and for each consteallation I created 30 hosts {clusters of stars around each of the 12 signs}, and for each host I created 30 Legions {30 legions of stars around the 30 hosts} and for each legion I created 30 divisions, and for each division I created 30 battalions, and for each battalion I created 30 camps, and to each camp I have attached three hundred and sixty five thousand tens of thousands of stars, corresponding to the days of the solar year, and all of them I have created only for your sake" = 1064,340,000,000,000,000 stars in total ! At a time when the naked eye could only count about 4000 stars - and they never had
telescopes!!! It's knowledge that came to us direct from Sinai...
Psalm 147 v 4 and 5
He counts the number of the stars, to all of them He assigns names, Great is our L-rd and abundant in strength his understanding is beyond calculation.
Samual I 2:2 There is none as holy as Hashem, for there is none besides you, and there is no rock like our L-rd.
Psalms 18:32 For who is G-d besides Hashem for who is a Rock except for our G-d.
Samual II 7:23 You are one and your name is one, and who is like your people Israel one nation on Earth?
Isaiah 46:9
Psalms 18:32 For who is G-d besides Hashem for who is a Rock except for our G-d.
Samual II 7:23 You are one and your name is one, and who is like your people Israel one nation on Earth?
Isaiah 46:9
Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am G-d, and there is no other;
I am G-d, and there is none like me.
I am G-d, and there is none like me.
Oh how beautiful is Isaiah 46 and its conclusion may it occur speedily in our days.
Have a blessed day
Michael
PSALMS TO SAY CONNECTED TO THIS SUBJECT MATTER THAT DESCRIBES THE CREATOR OF BOTH THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH AND ALL THEIR HOSTS 96; 97; 148
Recommended music google Shema Yisrael by Yakov Shwekey
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8D1DuVmtVQ
Recommended music google Shema Yisrael by Yakov Shwekey
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8D1DuVmtVQ
please exercise caution when surfing the web and only visit trusted sites
Yeshayahu- Isaiah - Chapter 46 Chabad site extract:
Chapter 46
א. כָּרַע בֵּל קֹרֵס נְבוֹ הָיוּ עֲצַבֵּיהֶם לַחַיָּה וְלַבְּהֵמָה נְשֻׂאֹתֵיכֶם עֲמוּסוֹת מַשָּׂא לַעֲיֵפָה:
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ב. קָרְסוּ כָרְעוּ יַחְדָּו לֹא יָכְלוּ מַלֵּט מַשָּׂא וְנַפְשָׁם בַּשְּׁבִי הָלָכָה:
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ג. שִׁמְעוּ אֵלַי בֵּית יַעֲקֹב וְכָל שְׁאֵרִית בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל הָעֲמֻסִים מִנִּי בֶטֶן הַנְּשֻׂאִים מִנִּי רָחַם:
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ד. וְעַד זִקְנָה אֲנִי הוּא וְעַד שֵׂיבָה אֲנִי אֶסְבֹּל אֲנִי עָשִׂיתִי וַאֲנִי אֶשָּׂא וַאֲנִי אֶסְבֹּל וַאֲמַלֵּט:
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ה. לְמִי תְדַמְּיוּנִי וְתַשְׁווּ וְתַמְשִׁלוּנִי וְנִדְמֶה:
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ו. הַזָּלִים זָהָב מִכִּיס וְכֶסֶף בַּקָּנֶה יִשְׁקֹלוּ יִשְׂכְּרוּ צוֹרֵף וְיַעֲשֵֹהוּ אֵל יִסְגְּדוּ אַף יִשְׁתַּחֲווּ:
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ז. יִשָּׂאֻהוּ עַל כָּתֵף יִסְבְּלֻהוּ וְיַנִּיחֻהוּ תַחְתָּיו וְיַעֲמֹד מִמְּקוֹמוֹ לֹא יָמִישׁ אַף יִצְעַק אֵלָיו וְלֹא יַעֲנֶה מִצָּרָתוֹ לֹא יוֹשִׁיעֶנּוּ:
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ח. זִכְרוּ זֹאת וְהִתְאֹשָׁשׁוּ הָשִׁיבוּ פוֹשְׁעִים עַל לֵב:
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ט. זִכְרוּ רִאשֹׁנוֹת מֵעוֹלָם כִּי אָנֹכִי אֵל וְאֵין עוֹד אֱלֹהִים וְאֶפֶס כָּמוֹנִי:
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י. מַגִּיד מֵרֵאשִׁית אַחֲרִית וּמִקֶּדֶם אֲשֶׁר לֹא נַעֲשׂוּ אֹמֵר עֲצָתִי תָקוּם וְכָל חֶפְצִי אֶעֱשֶׂה:
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יא. קֹרֵא מִמִּזְרָח עַיִט מֵאֶרֶץ מֶרְחָק אִישׁ עֲצָתִי אַף דִּבַּרְתִּי אַף אֲבִיאֶנָּה יָצַרְתִּי אַף אֶעֱשֶׂנָּה:
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יב. שִׁמְעוּ אֵלַי אַבִּירֵי לֵב הָרְחוֹקִים מִצְּדָקָה:
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יג. קֵרַבְתִּי צִדְקָתִי לֹא תִרְחָק וּתְשׁוּעָתִי לֹא תְאַחֵר וְנָתַתִּי בְצִיּוֹן תְּשׁוּעָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל תִּפְאַרְתִּי:
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Additional reading :Insight into Shema that everything both good and bad come from Hashem
Written by D fine
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The kli yakar gives us a great insight into the words Shema Yisrael HaShem (Yud-keh-vav-keh) Elokeinu HaShem (Yud-keh-vav-keh) Echad. The name Elokim represents middas hadin (judegement) - when HaShem deals with us in a strict way. The name yud-keh-vav-keh represents HaShem dealing with us with middas harachamim - with mercy. (Rashi Bereishis 1;1 'bara elokim') The kli yakar reads this back into the famous pasuk of Shema: 'Listen Yisrael, HaShem is middas harachamim and middas hadin, and they are one.' In other words, when everything is going well we can be quick to praise HasHem. But we do not realise that sometimes in life we feel we have been mistreated and bad things happen; that is also min hashamayim. That is also planned out perfectly by HaShem for whatever reason. The middas hadin and middas harachamim come from the same source. That is what the gemarra pesachim (50a) says that in olam haba we will make the same bracha on good news and bad news - because they will then realise that good and 'bad' came from the same Source; they are both planned for us by HaShem. This article was extracted off a brilliant website to follow the link goto www.ShortVort.com; http://www.shortvort.com/vaeschanan-parasha/11144-shema-yisrael-short
Another useful piece off Aish.com by Rabbi Shraga Simmons on http://judaism.about.com/library/3_askrabbi_o/bl_simmons_shema.htm |
The Shema is a section of verses that is commanded to be recited twice a day, as it is stated explicitly in the Torah, "speak of them... when you retire and when you arise" (Deuteronomy 6:5-9).
The Shema, which begins with the famous verse "Listen Israel, The L-rd is G-d, the L-rd is One!" is not a prayer. It is the Jewish Pledge of Allegiance, a testimony to His Oneness. In fact, if you look at the Hebrew, you will notice that the letters "Ayin" and "Daled" are enlarged since they spell out the Hebrew word for "witness," to enforce the idea that one is giving testimony. Knowing that G-d is One is of primary importance, since the entire religion is based on this principle.
The world does not give the impression that He is One. One day we wake up and everything goes well with us. The next day we wake up and everything goes poorly. What happened?! Is it possible that the same G-d who gave us so much goodness on one day, could make everything go wrong the next? It would appear "No! My G-d is good, how could he have caused me so much pain? Must've been just bad luck." But there's no such thing as luck. The same G-d that caused the good was the same One that caused the bad. The Shema is a declaration that all the events that happen to us are from the One, the only One. At the and of days we will come to understood how even how the "bad" was actually for the "good," even though now it is hard to tell.
Another way of understanding G-d's oneness is to imagine one light shining through a prism. Even though we are able to see a MANY colors, the colors of the spectrum, they really only come from ONE light. So too, even though it seems that certain events in the world were not caused by G-d, rather by some other force or bad luck, they aren't. They all come from the One, G-d.
The chance to say the Shema twice a day, once in the morning prayers and once in the evening prayers, is a way for us to engrain this belief upon us, to keep this idea, so to speak, on our fingertips. Having this belief readily at hand helps a person fulfill another verse from the Shema: "And
you shall LOVE the L-rd your G-d, with all YOUR HEART, with all YOUR SOUL, and with all your resources."
How can one be commanded to LOVE?! Maimonides suggests that if we just looked into nature and contemplated his wondrous creation, we would be filled for love of Him.
What does it mean to love him with ALL YOUR HEART? The Talmud explains that the word "heart" is metaphorical for "desires." Even today we colloquially use the word "heart" this way, such as when people say "I love chocolate," it can't be that they "love" chocolate, chocolate is inhuman! What they mean to say is that they desire chocolate. What the Shema means when it says "Love G-d with all your heart," it means with "ALL YOUR DESIRES." But not just your desire for chocolate and other treats. Even your desires for
necessities like bread and water should be eaten for the sake heaven, to make your body stronger to learn and do G-d's Torah!
Finally, if you were wondering what it means to love G-d with ALL YOUR SOUL, you're in good company. So did the great Talmudic scholar, Rabbi Akiva. The Talmud tells us that Rabbi Akiva loved G-d so much, that he even taught His Torah despite that Rome had outlawed it. When the Romans caught him teaching, they sentenced him to a painful death. They took a large iron comb and began to scrape off his flesh. At that time, he realized that the time to say Shema had arrived, and so he began to say it. As his students looked on in horror, Rabbi Akiva told them, "All my life I never was able to fulfill the commandment to 'love G-d with ALL YOUR SOUL,' until now." As he said the word "One," of "Listen Israel! The L-rd is G-d the L-rd is One," he extended it. When he finished saying that word he died. (Brochot 61a)
Of course, the Sages did not command us to die to fulfil the verse 'to love G-d with all YOUR SOUL!' But what the Sages did have in mind was that one should love G-d so much, that he would even be willing to give up his life for G-d. Perhaps this is why Jews are accustomed to saying this verse at
the time they die.
The Shema, which begins with the famous verse "Listen Israel, The L-rd is G-d, the L-rd is One!" is not a prayer. It is the Jewish Pledge of Allegiance, a testimony to His Oneness. In fact, if you look at the Hebrew, you will notice that the letters "Ayin" and "Daled" are enlarged since they spell out the Hebrew word for "witness," to enforce the idea that one is giving testimony. Knowing that G-d is One is of primary importance, since the entire religion is based on this principle.
The world does not give the impression that He is One. One day we wake up and everything goes well with us. The next day we wake up and everything goes poorly. What happened?! Is it possible that the same G-d who gave us so much goodness on one day, could make everything go wrong the next? It would appear "No! My G-d is good, how could he have caused me so much pain? Must've been just bad luck." But there's no such thing as luck. The same G-d that caused the good was the same One that caused the bad. The Shema is a declaration that all the events that happen to us are from the One, the only One. At the and of days we will come to understood how even how the "bad" was actually for the "good," even though now it is hard to tell.
Another way of understanding G-d's oneness is to imagine one light shining through a prism. Even though we are able to see a MANY colors, the colors of the spectrum, they really only come from ONE light. So too, even though it seems that certain events in the world were not caused by G-d, rather by some other force or bad luck, they aren't. They all come from the One, G-d.
The chance to say the Shema twice a day, once in the morning prayers and once in the evening prayers, is a way for us to engrain this belief upon us, to keep this idea, so to speak, on our fingertips. Having this belief readily at hand helps a person fulfill another verse from the Shema: "And
you shall LOVE the L-rd your G-d, with all YOUR HEART, with all YOUR SOUL, and with all your resources."
How can one be commanded to LOVE?! Maimonides suggests that if we just looked into nature and contemplated his wondrous creation, we would be filled for love of Him.
What does it mean to love him with ALL YOUR HEART? The Talmud explains that the word "heart" is metaphorical for "desires." Even today we colloquially use the word "heart" this way, such as when people say "I love chocolate," it can't be that they "love" chocolate, chocolate is inhuman! What they mean to say is that they desire chocolate. What the Shema means when it says "Love G-d with all your heart," it means with "ALL YOUR DESIRES." But not just your desire for chocolate and other treats. Even your desires for
necessities like bread and water should be eaten for the sake heaven, to make your body stronger to learn and do G-d's Torah!
Finally, if you were wondering what it means to love G-d with ALL YOUR SOUL, you're in good company. So did the great Talmudic scholar, Rabbi Akiva. The Talmud tells us that Rabbi Akiva loved G-d so much, that he even taught His Torah despite that Rome had outlawed it. When the Romans caught him teaching, they sentenced him to a painful death. They took a large iron comb and began to scrape off his flesh. At that time, he realized that the time to say Shema had arrived, and so he began to say it. As his students looked on in horror, Rabbi Akiva told them, "All my life I never was able to fulfill the commandment to 'love G-d with ALL YOUR SOUL,' until now." As he said the word "One," of "Listen Israel! The L-rd is G-d the L-rd is One," he extended it. When he finished saying that word he died. (Brochot 61a)
Of course, the Sages did not command us to die to fulfil the verse 'to love G-d with all YOUR SOUL!' But what the Sages did have in mind was that one should love G-d so much, that he would even be willing to give up his life for G-d. Perhaps this is why Jews are accustomed to saying this verse at
the time they die.
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