The Shema

the long version

The Shema has been described as the "central watchword" of Jewish faith. For centuries, Jews have pronounced this single sentence affirming God's unity as their final words before dying; they have also begun and ended each day with this prayer on their lips. Using the Shema as his focus, Norman Lamm, prominent Orthodox scholar and long-time president of Yeshiva University, explores the relationship between spirituality and law in Judaism. The book represents an extensive commentary on the words of the Shema, drawing upon a wide range of traditional sources and the author's own reflections.