Hear and Obey: The Call of the Shema

 

“Hear, O Yisra’ĕl: Yah our Elohim, Yah is one! And you shall love Yah your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your might. And these Words which I am commanding you today shall be in your heart, and you shall impress them upon your children, and shall speak of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up, and shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:4–9)

 The Shema is one of the most recited prayers—and instructions—in all of Judaism. It is not merely a statement to be spoken, but a covenantal declaration. It calls us to remember the relationship between Yahweh and Israel and charges us to obey all that He has commanded.

Like our brother Judah, we too recite the Shema regularly and write it upon the doorposts of our homes (mezuzah) and upon our gates. For those of us in the Messianic faith, the Shema holds an especially treasured place. We see in Yeshua the Messiah the perfect example of one who heard and obeyed the Father completely:

“For I did not speak on My own, but the Father Himself who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and speak. And I know that His commandment is life everlasting. Therefore what I say, I say just as the Father has told Me.” (John 12:49–50)

Deuteronomy 6:4–9 is foundational to living a life that is pleasing to the Father. We cannot love Yahweh if we do not listen to Him, and we cannot walk as Messiah walked if the Torah is not followed with all our heart, being, and strength.

Yahweh Our Elohim, Yahweh Is One

The opening declaration establishes Yahweh as the Elohim of Israel—the only Elohim of Israel.

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3)

Unlike the surrounding nations, such as Egypt with its vast pantheon, Israel was set-apart to serve one Elohim alone. Yahweh is not one among many; He is the only true Elohim.

“I am Yah—there is no other. Besides Me there is no God… from the rising of the sun to its setting, that there is no one besides Me. I am Yah—there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:5–6)

The topic of the Trinity is worthy of careful discussion and deserves its own treatment. For now, it is enough to affirm what the Scriptures plainly declare: Yahweh is our Elohim, and Yahweh is one. 

“For there is one Elohim, and one Mediator between Elohim and men, the Man Messiah Yeshua.” (1 Timothy 2:5)

 Love Yahweh with All You Have

The Shema commands us to love Yah with all our heart, being, and might. But how does one love Elohim?

Scripture answers clearly:

“…showing loving-commitment to thousands, to those who love Me and guard My commands.” (Exodus 20:6)

 To love Yahweh is to guard His commandments.

The Father desires our whole being—our thoughts, our will, our strength, and our devotion. It is not enough to serve Him occasionally, half-heartedly, or with divided loyalty. He calls us to put both hands to the plow and keep our eyes fixed forward.

“No one who has put his hand to the plow and looked back is fit for the kingdom of Elohim.” (Luke 9:62)

Wholehearted obedience is the evidence of true love.

 Teach the Way to Your Children

It is natural for parents to desire that their children share their beliefs. But how many are intentionally teaching their descendants the way of Yah?

The Torah does not assign this responsibility to priests or leaders alone—it places it squarely upon the parents.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

If we allow the world to shape our children without counterbalance, we should not be surprised if they begin to reflect the world more than the Most High.

Homeschooling or private education may not be available to everyone. But regardless of circumstance, the command remains: teach them diligently. Not merely by listing commandments, but by living them out daily in front of them. 

“A rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.” (Proverbs 29:15)

The Shema calls for active, engaged discipleship within the home.

 The Torah, Day In and Day Out

The Shema instructs us to speak of these Words when we sit, walk, lie down, and rise up. Torah is not meant to be compartmentalized—it is to permeate every part of life.

“Blessed is the man… whose delight is in the Torah of Yah, and who meditates in His Torah day and night.” (Psalm 1:1–2)

 Meditation on Torah becomes easier when we live among like-minded believers. Fellowship strengthens conviction, sharpens understanding, and guards against isolation.

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.” (Matthew 18:20)

 For those who find themselves spiritually isolated, self-reflection, daily reading, and even online study groups can help maintain daily engagement with the Word.

A Sign on the Hand and Between the Eyes

Some interpret the command to bind the Words on the hand and between the eyes as purely metaphorical. However, the text does not demand that conclusion—especially when we consider that the command to write them on the doorposts has been physically observed through the mezuzah.

The hesitancy within parts of the Messianic community toward tefillin (phylacteries) often stems from their association with the Pharisees. Yet Yeshua never condemned the wearing of tefillin itself. He rebuked the motivation behind their actions:

“All their works they do to be noticed by men. They make their tefillin wide and their tzitziyot long.” (Matthew 23:5)

Just a few verses earlier, He acknowledged their authority when reading from the Torah:

“The Torah scholars and Pharisees sit on the seat of Moses. So whatever they tell you, do and observe. But don’t do what they do; for what they say, they do not do.” (Matthew 23:1–3) 

The issue was hypocrisy—not obedience.

While tefillin are one traditional method of fulfilling this command, Scripture does not prescribe a specific format. Some may choose tefillin; others may find alternative physical reminders. What matters most is that the external sign reflects an internal commitment.

Like tzitzit, these physical reminders serve to align our thoughts (mind), actions (hand), and devotion (heart) with Yahweh. 

On Your Doors and Gates

Traditionally, this command is observed by placing a mezuzah on the doorpost—a small parchment containing Torah verses housed within a protective case.

This serves as a declaration that the home belongs to Yahweh. It distinguishes a covenant household from the world and reminds all who enter of the family’s allegiance.

“As for me and my household, we will worship Yah!” (Joshua 24:15)

 Like all outward symbols commanded in Torah, the mezuzah is meant to reflect inward conviction.

Conclusion: Hear and Obey

The Shema is not merely a prayer—it is a call to action.

• It is a call to remember.
• A call to covenant faithfulness.
• A call to teshuvah.
• A call to teach our children.
• A call to wholehearted obedience.

There is little wonder why Deuteronomy 6:4–9 has been so revered throughout Israel’s history.

May we recite it daily—not mechanically or mindlessly—but with sincerity, passion, and renewed commitment. Anything that helps keep us grounded in covenant faithfulness is well worth the few moments it takes to declare:

Yahweh is our Elohim. Yahweh is one.

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