Home › Glossary › Letter S

Shema

World Religion
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A central Jewish prayer declaring the oneness of God, beginning "Hear, O Israel: the LORD is our God, the LORD is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4).

Detailed Definition
The Shema is the quintessential statement of Jewish faith, recited twice daily and at the moment of death. It is an affirmation of absolute monotheism and a commitment to love God with all one's heart, soul, and might. In poetry, the Shema represents the core of Jewish identity, a cry of faith, and a unifying force. It can be invoked as a symbol of steadfast belief in the face of adversity, the unity underlying all creation, and the total devotion of the heart to the divine.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Jewish poetry, Shema affirms oneness: “Hear O Israel—Shema, creed in six words”; In bedtime prayers, Shema protects: “Whisper Shema—angels guard sleep”; In contemporary verse, Shema is identity: “Concentration camp—Shema, last word on lips”; Poets use Shema for focus: “Amid noise—Shema centers my scattered soul.”
Additional Notes
Shema (“Hear, O Israel”) is Judaism’s central creed (Deuteronomy 6:4), recited morning and night; it affirms absolute monotheism and commands love of God with all one’s being; in poetry, the Shema functions as anchor—its words a lifeline in crisis, a daily vow of loyalty, and a call to integrate faith into every breath and action.
Also Known As
Sh’ma Yisrael Hear O Israel
Skip to main content