“Hear of Israel, Adonai is our God, Adonai is one.”
This may be the single most important statement for a Jew. Next week we will welcome two new Jews to our beloved religion. At the end of the ceremony, they will declare their faith and recite these words. From that moment, they will be linked with our people irrevocably. Through these words, they will announce their commitment not just to our God but to our people.
As Rabbi Akiva was being burned at the stake, he recited these words. Jewish soldiers whether in the American services or Israel have recited them upon going into battle. Countless generations of children have recited these words before they go to bed. We say them morning and evening, when we take out the Torah and they are embedded within the musaf Kedusha.
As much as these words tie us to God they bind us to each other. As Rabbi Eli Garfinkel writes, “the Shema is both concise and deep.” Please join us this week as we celebrate the naming of Andy and Sharon Weiss' granddaughter and kiddush for the first time since the beginning of COVID
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
