8.4: The Shema and Amidah

Question 1

What prayer is the most important to Jews?

Answer 1

• Shema is the most important prayer and prayed every morning and evening
• Shows that God is one

Question 2

What do Jews do because of the Shema?

Answer 2

• Men wear tefillin (black boxes and straps)
• Mezuzah are in every house (container in door frame)
• Expresses the importance of the Shema

Question 3

The Amidah prayer:

Answer 3

• Said 3 times a day in the synagogue or privately
• Core part of every service/Jewish tradition
• Known as the ‘standing prayer’ and is said facing Jerusalem (the temple)
• 3 parts to it: praise, petition & thanks.

Question 4

The Shema prayer:

Answer 4

Most important prayer, reminding that there is only ONE God. Calls Jews to have this on their hearts and heads + when leaving and returning home (literally with Tafillin and Mezuzah!); first and last thing they think about in the day.

Question 5

The Shema prayer - Sources of Wisdom:

Answer 5

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
strength.
6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.
7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you
walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.