Shema

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Pronunciations

Shema (shih-MAH) listen
Shema Yisrael (sheh-MAH yees-rah-EL) listen

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Definitions

  • n. A prayer recited in most services, at bedtime, and when death is imminent; one of the most important and well-known prayers in Judaism.

Example Sentences

  • "The Shema can be found on page 94 of your machzors."

  • "No more bedtime stories now. So hands over your eyes, say Shema, and go to sleep..." (Glinert)

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Languages of Origin

  • Textual Hebrew

Etymology

  • שמע ישראל 'Hear O Israel', the first words of the prayer

      • Who Uses This

      • Religious: Jews who are engaged in religious observance and have some Jewish education

      Regions

      • North America
      • Great Britain
      • South Africa
      • Australia / New Zealand

      Dictionaries

      • The New Joys of Yiddish, by Leo Rosten and Lawrence Bush (New York, 2003[1968]).
      • The JPS Dictionary of Jewish Words, by Joyce Eisenberg and Ellen Scolnic, (Philadelphia, 2001).
      • The Joys of Hebrew, by Lewis Glinert (New York, 1992).

      Alternative Spellings

      Sh'ma, Shma, Shema Yisrael, Shema Yisroel, Sh'ma Yisrael, Sh'ma Yisroel, Shma Yisrael, Shma Yisroel

Notes

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