What exactly is the Shema?

[Sephania]

Yes, that is exactly why it popped into my mind when you mentioned Rav Akiva, that he should hold that much to a G-d that wasn't his from birth, and to love his word, and celebrate the day when he could derive true meaning from the Shema. Oh that many born in that fold would!
Perhaps the lesson about Haman here is for the one who made his desire so overwhelming of hate for the Yehudi that he would seek to destroy them all, and to have a descendant of his to so gloryfiy in HaShems words and become a great teacher of them, dispite the odds.

As far as what Sh'ual said, yes, so much to the provoking to jealousy, nu?

 

[Sephania]

And to bring this back around to the OP question, in my opinion the Shema is the Yehudi Creed as compared to the Niccean Creed. It's our statement of faith. It comes from an understanding of who Elohim is and who we are in relation to him.

I agree, but what do you think of it being taught in synogogue ( Messianic) that by saying it, it is only a blessing of Israel? For instance I know of a Rabbi that when it comes time to say the Shema he says,
"Let's rise and Bless Israel"

I have seen Gentiles repeat this as that is all they get of it. And also I think that would confuse some as I think the blessing of Israel is Ma tovu.

 

[Shimshon]

I agree, but what do you think of it being taught in synogogue ( Messianic) that by saying it, it is only a blessing of Israel? For instance I know of a Rabbi that when it comes time to say the Shema he says,
"Let's rise and Bless Israel"

I have seen Gentiles repeat this as that is all they get of it. And also I think that would confuse some as I think the blessing of Israel is Ma tovu.

Well, I think that if he means Yisrael as in HaAm Elohim...i.e. those of faith. Then yes I think it is appropriate. But, to imply that it only means Yisrael as the physical nation only, no that would be a shame. The Shema is a blessing to those who follow it. By saying it we bless Elohim who inturn blesses us. I would say "Let's rise and Bless Adonai". I see Ma Tovu as an appropriate blessing for the shul, upon entering it as is the custom to sing it. But not as a blessing to Yisrael...no.

 

[Henaynei]

The Sh'ma is as the Sh'ma says - Hear O'Israel - it was spoken to the nation of Israel, not to non-Jews. By this time the mixed multitude had all heard Sinai and had all said "we obey and we listen" and thus were all Israel.

Those of us of the commonwealth of Israel, sojourners who stand closely beside Israel ,so closely sometime neither Jew nor gentile can tell us apart from Israel), we are not Israel but called along side to hold up her arms and lift her children above the waves and bring them into the "Land." Unconverted gentiles (like most of us here) in MJism are NOT Jews nor are we Israel. The blessings on all believers belong to all believers, but the blessings on Israel belong only to Israel and woe to any who would claim Israel's birthright as their own when they are not Israel.

 

[DAlex]

But didn't Jesus quote the Shema in the New Testament? or at least part of it (Mark 12:29-31? Does Jews still quote it also at Bar Mitvahs, and weddings and other occasions? I recognize the Shema on t.v. shows but they also quoted in Hebrew Numbers 6:24-26. We recognized part of the Shema as the greatest commandment, though. Or is it only the Shema when it is in Deut. 6:4-9 and not when it is in the NT?

 

[Shimshon]

The Sh'ma is as the Sh'ma says - Hear O'Israel - it was spoken to the nation of Israel, not to non-Jews. By this time the mixed multitude had all heard Sinai and had all said "we obey and we listen" and thus were all Israel.

So all those egyptians were instantly converted and now Jewish Israelites? But you having heard and been revealed are still seen as a foreigner? Not to mention your mixing your timeline here. This mixed multitued of egyptians and hebrews were all Yisrael because they all followed by faith the Elohim of Yisrael. Or they would not be there. The time I believe your thinking of is after the exile when Yisraelites became refered to as Jews, no matter what tribe they came from. The multitude in the wilderness were not all "Jews" as you say. This reference to all Yisrael was not till after the remnant returned from Bavel.

Those of us of the commonwealth of Israel, sojourners who stand closely beside Israel ,so closely sometime neither Jew nor gentile can tell us apart from Israel), we are not Israel but called along side to hold up her arms and lift her children above the waves and bring them into the "Land." Unconverted gentiles (like most of us here) in MJism are NOT Jews nor are we Israel. The blessings on all believers belong to all believers, but the blessings on Israel belong only to Israel and woe to any who would claim Israel's birthright as their own when they are not Israel.

You see youself as separate from Yisrael?! But does Elohim see the goy (foreigner) who follows him as such?

Isaiah 56:3-8 3 A foreigner joining ADONAI should not say, "ADONAI will separate me from his people"; 6 "And the foreigners who join themselves to ADONAI to serve him, to love the name of ADONAI, and to be his workers, all who keep Shabbat and do not profane it, and hold fast to my covenant, 7 I will bring them to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples." 8 Adonai ELOHIM says, he who gathers Isra'el's exiles: "There are yet others I will gather, besides those gathered already."

The goyim do not stay goyim when they follow Adonai's mitzvot. He does not see them as "separate" from his people. Notice they are doing the same mitzvot as Yisrael and are considered part of her. Not "separate".

There is only ONE Body, not a Jewish Body being helped and coddled by a Christian body. We are One in Yeshua.

However, what you just defined is a classic definition of "separate entity theology".

 

[visionary]

Well said Shimshon...tried to give you reps but they said I must spread them around before I can give you any again.