What is the Shema?
The Shema is Israel’s confession from Deuteronomy 6:4–5: "Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." Jesus called this "the greatest commandment."
"Shema" is Hebrew for "Hear" — the first word of Deuteronomy 6:4. It is daily prayed by faithful Jews and was the home faith of Jesus himself.
It declares God’s uniqueness and demands undivided love — heart, soul, strength, and (Jesus added) mind. There is one God; love him with all you are.
Jesus quoted it as the greatest commandment, with "love your neighbor as yourself" as the second. The whole law and the prophets, he said, hang on these two — the Shema lived out.
Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.