Witnesses to the One: The Spiritual History of the Sh'ma [Paperback]

An exploration of Judaism's most sacred statement and world-changing idea. Hear O Israel, the Eternal is Our God, the Eternal is One! There is arguably no more important statement in Judaism than the Sh'ma. Its wordscalling us to hear, to listen, to pay attentiondefy direct translation and have meant different things throughout history. In a deeply personal exploration of this sacred proclamation, command, and prayer, Rabbi Joseph B. Meszler delves into the spiritual history of the Shma, inspiring you to claim your own personal meaning in these enduring words. By examining how the Shma has been commented upon by ancient sages and contemporary thinkers, he opens the doors between each generation that has found a different dimension of truth in the Shma. Each chapter focuses on a major historical figure and includes a sacred story, an exploration into the storys many meanings, and a suggestion for a new way of hearing the voice in the story. Experience the Shma through the lives of: w MosesFighting Idolatry w Akiba ben JosephThe Sages Offer Their Lives w Saaida GaonProving the One w Moses MaimonidesNothing Like God w Haim VitalCommuning with the One w Moses Haim Luzzatto Master of the Universe w Abraham Isaac KookA Nation Reborn w Leo BaeckOne Moral Standard w Abraham Joshua HeschelA Prophecy: One World or No World

An exploration of Judaism's most sacred statement and world-changing idea. Hear O Israel, the Eternal is Our God, the Eternal is One! There is arguably no more important statement in Judaism than the Sh'ma. Its wordscalling us to hear, to listen, to pay attentiondefy direct translation and have meant different things throughout history. In a deeply personal exploration of this sacred proclamation, command, and prayer, Rabbi Joseph B. Meszler delves into the spiritual history of the Shma, inspiring you to claim your own personal meaning in these enduring words. By examining how the Shma has been commented upon by ancienl"