Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.” vss. 6-7
Deuteronomy 6:1-11
For Jews the heart of the Law was found in these verses from Deuteronomy, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” Known as the Shema this became the daily centering prayer for every Jew. It was written in the mezuzahs that they fastened to the doorways of their homes and in the tefalim that adults bound to their arms and foreheads when they said their prayers. When Jesus was asked to name the greatest commandment of the Law this was his response, and then he added a second, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” a verse from Leviticus. Together these verses are the summation of the Law and are the perfect guide for any person’s life. The Jews took great pains to teach the Shema to their children and their example is a guide to followers of Jesus. It’s essential that those who come after us know what we believe and what principles guide our lives. And if our children actually see us putting these commandments into practice in our daily living, all the better!
Thought for the Day: What scripture verses express my core values?
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