The most elementary meaning of the word shema is “hear”—the standard translation. It is a summons by Moses to Israel, “Hear O Israel”; so the worshiper summons himself to pay heed to what follows, to “lend an ear” to a significant message that requires his attention. But the significance of the word hear transcends its obvious function as a call to attention or a preface to the rest of the verse. The sense of hearing or listening is in itself of considerable