There are times throughout the year where it is an especially powerful time to daven, or there is a time in someone’s life where they need a special prayer said.
Worldwide Seder Night Effort to Unite Jews with Shema Prayer On the Passover Seder night, Wednesday night, April 12, Jews worldwide will unite in saying the Shema prayer before beginning the Seder.
This effort to unite the Jewish people in saying the Shema is coordinated by the Shema Yisrael Now committee, based in Chicago. The Shema Yisrael Now Committee seeks to raise awareness of the importance and special protective power of the Shema prayer. The Seder night is a time when Jews of all backgrounds join with their families and communities and as such, is an opportune time for this “prayer of unity”effort.
This worldwide effort has the support and encouragement of prominent Torah authorities and rabbis.
The Chicago-based Shema Yisrael Now effort is five years old, and since its inception, thousands of Jews from all backgrounds have made the commitment to say the Shema prayer two times a day, with maximum concentration.
In the difficult time in which we are living, it is particularly important that Jews be aware of the special protective power of the Shema prayer and how critical it is to twice a day properly accept G-d’s sovereignty over the world.
The power of the Shema to protect is clearly illustrated in the Torah, when it describes how the Jewish people should prepare for war. In Devarim 20:2-3 the Torah relates how the Cohen is to address to those assembled for battle. The first words of the Cohen are “Shema Yisrael.” The commentator Rashi explains, “Even if there is no merit in you but the recitation of the Shema alone, you are worthy that He should save you.”
HoRav Mattisyahu Solomon shlita of Lakewood Yeshiva has pointed out that the Shema prayer serves as our protection and is tantamount to being “our atomic shelter.” As such, he has said, our Shema prayer must be built with precision.
When saying the Shema, one should concentrate on accepting G-d’s absolute sovereignty. The first verse in particular represents fulfillment of the commandment to accept G-d’s absolute sovereignty. When saying Shema, one should have in mind, “hear, understand and accept” G-d’s absolute sovereignty.” We therefore accept to sublimate that every part of our personalities and possessions – even our very lives –to G-d’s will.
The basic Shema prayer that many will recite on the Seder night is comprised of six words:
[red]Shema Yis-ra-el A-do-noi E-lo-hei-nu A-d-noi E-chad[/red]
Translation: Hear, Israel, Hashem is (now) our G-d, Hashem is the One and Only.
This is followed by the whispered recital of the following words:
[red]Ba-ruch Shem Ke-vod Malchuso Le-Olam Va’ed [/red]Blessed is the Name of His glorious kingdom for all eternity. This refers to our silent aspiration that the entire world should soon recognise Hashem’s glory.
These twelve words IY”H will reverberate through the world, at numerous seder tables in different countries. Your Shema prayer will be an invaluable link in the chain. Those intending to participate and commit to saying Shema twice a day, morning and night, with maximum concentration can get more information at the Shema Yisrael Now website.
The Seder Night Shema effort is coordinated by the Shema Yisrael Now.
More information on the Shema effort can be found at _www.skokiekollel.org/shema_ (http://www.skokiekollel.org/shema). Information by phone can be obtained at 847-840-4269.
Before the Seder night, please pass this on to as many Jews as possible from your phone books, e-mail lists and address books.
Important Numbers
