As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“Hear, Israel! Hashem (is) our G-d, Hashem is one.” (6:4)

The recitation of the following is a Torah obligation. The exhortation “Hear!” is actually the Israelite’s way of life. “We shall do and we shall listen,” (Shemot 24:7) was the vow that Israel made at Sinai. “We shall do” means “We shall obey and fulfill,” but “We shall listen” means “We shall Learn.” This is the Israelite’s career of listening (”Hear, Israel”) to the word of Hashem.

It bespeaks the attitude of eagerness to hear and learn, to understand and to become saturated with Hashem’s teachings and ways of thought and opinion. In many instances, the word ‘Shamoa’ (to hear) means also “to obey,” but always it bears the connotation of giving attention and thought. Thus “Hear, Israel” is the summons to all Israel forever to devote their lives to learning the Oneness of Hashem and His attributes and His ways, and the following verses (6:6-9) summon Israel to implement the first verse by means of Torah-study.

Because of the extraordinary importance of the statement, it is preceded by “Hear, Israel,” which means: Put your heart into this great teaching and consider it well. The name Israel is here mentioned, for this matter is the foundation of the name Israel, and it is the identity of the people of Israel. Hashem, the particular name by which He is known to His people, is the Creator (the word Hashem in the Hebrew original denotes both 1) Being and 2) Cause of being (”He that spoke and caused the world to be” – Zevachim 46B). But He is particularly the G-d of Israel (as stated in the scriptures more than 165 times). “He is Hashem our G-d.” (Tehillim/Hodu)

Quoted from “Fortunate Nation” by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

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