Shema Yisrael, Hashem Elokeinu, Hashem Echad

Hear O Israel, Hashem is our God, Hashem is One (cont.)

One of the most striking elements of Kriat Shema is that we cover our eyes when we accept upon ourselves “Ohl Malchut Shamayim – the Heavenly Yoke.” The simple explanation for this custom is that Kriat Shema cannot be fulfilled simply by reading the words. Rather, the words must be said with intent and concentration. If so, covering our eyes helps us to block out the physical distractions around us so that we can focus on what we are saying (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 61:5).

Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch points out that the last letter of the word “echad” – ‘dalet’ – is written in the Sefer Torah larger than the other letters. It is enlarged so that a person shouldn’t inadvertently change the ‘dalet’ into a ‘reish,’ which is a very similar shape. To change the ‘dalet’ for a ‘reish’ would change the word “echad – one” to “acher – another” - which would be a terrible mistake! It would change the sentence to read, “Hear O Israel, Hashem is our God, Hashem is another”! The letter ‘dalet’ is sharp and angular whereas the letter ‘reish’ is soft and round. According to Rabbi Hirsch, the sharpness and the angularity of the letter ‘dalet’ leaves no room for mistake. Because truth is something that must be unequivocally defined. The “Oneness” of Hashem is absolute, and even if a person “only” rounds the truth a tiny bit, it becomes “acher” – something else altogether.

Rabbi Hirsch explains that this is a reason why we cover our eyes. There are so many reasons and arguments for not keeping Hashem’s mitzvot. For not accepting upon ourselves the Ohl Malchut Shamayim. Instead, we cover our eyes and block out the enticements of the physical world. We concentrate on only one detail – that Hashem is One and His Name is One – to the exclusion of all else.

Rabbi Moshe Sherer (1921-1998) was the legendary head of Agudath Israel of America. Selflessness and unwavering concern and love for Jews worldwide were his hallmark. Rabbi Sherer would ask why we cover our eyes when we recite Kriat Shema. He answered, “When our eyes are open, we can see only what is in front of us. But when we close our eyes, we can imagine a much larger canvas. One that encompasses the entirety of the Jewish People. We cover our eyes with our hand because our hands are the tools that take abstract thoughts and turn them into concrete action.”

It is fascinating to note that our Sages use a “yoke" to depict our relationship with Hashem. In addition, they also refer to the mitzvot as a yoke – “Ohl Mitzvot.” Instead of a yoke, one might expect them to use much more appealing and positive descriptions of the Kingdom of our Father in Heaven and the mitzvot.

A yoke is a heavy piece of wood that is molded to fit an ox’s neck so that it can work in the fields. It ploughs, sows and harvests through the medium of the yoke. But it is uncomfortable and it is not something that, given the choice, an ox would choose to wear. And, yet, our Sages introduce us to the twin concepts of the “Heavenly Yoke” and the “Yoke of the Mitzvot.” What are they teaching us?

While it is true that an ox would never voluntarily want to wear a yoke, it is equally true that an ox cannot be productive without a yoke. The only way that an ox can utilize its enormous strength is by having the yoke channel its power into preparing the field, or by harvesting the field. It is the yoke that gives the ox purpose and turns the ox into a valuable tool for the farmer’s use.

So, too, we are productive only when we do His Will. Our task in this world is to reveal more and more layers of Hashem’s Majesty. But to do so, we must live how the Torah commands us to live. It is only with the mitzvot that we are able to produce and to be productive. It is only with the mitzvot that we can “plough,” “sow” and “harvest” in this world. It is the yoke of the mitzvot that gives our lives purpose and meaning. It is an unfortunate reality that those who do not understand the significance of Hashem’s yoke may spend their whole lives trying to throw it off instead of embracing it. Because they do not grasp that without accepting the Heavenly Yoke and the Yoke of the Mitzvot, it is not possible for a person to reach what they were placed in this world to achieve.

To be continued…