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The Shema

Judaism's central declaration of faith — said morning and night, and the first prayer most learners want to read. By the end of this you will be able to say it aloud.

Sh'ma Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad.

Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.

Where you see אֲדֹנָי (Adonai), the siddur prints the four-letter Name of God; it is always read aloud as “Adonai.”

Sh'maYisraelAdonaiEloheinuAdonaiEchad
Look closer — tap a word for its root

Baruch shem k'vod malchuto l'olam va'ed.

Blessed is the name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever.

Said quietly, just after the first line.

Baruchshemk'vodmalchutol'olamva'ed
Look closer — tap a word for its root

V'ahavta et Adonai Elohecha, b'chol l'vavcha uv'chol nafsh'cha uv'chol m'odecha.

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.

The opening of the first paragraph that follows the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:5) — heart, soul, and might.

V'ahavtaetAdonaiElohechab'choll'vavchauv'cholnafsh'chauv'cholm'odecha
Look closer — tap a word for its root

Source: Deuteronomy 6:4–5; traditional liturgy. Public domain.