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Shema Yisrael, Part 1

Imagining Creation

Shema Yisrael, Part 2

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Shema Yisrael, Part 1: Imagining Creation

The first step of Shema is to lift yourself into a space from which you can see the view from above.

Handouts:	Shema
Audio:	Listen to Audio \| Download this MP3
Topics:	Shema, Meditation

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Shema Yisrael, Part 2

Tzvi Freeman is the author of Bringing Heaven Down to Earth and, more recently, Wisdom to Heal the Earth. Subscribe to The Daily Dose of Wisdom and Freeman Files for regular updates.

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Rita Forbes Clinton May 28, 2026

Good Morning, Rabbi Freeman

I've gain new knowledge that extends my understanding of the meaning of the Shema as it relates to the mind of GD and His Creation, thank you. You appear, not only in this presentation but others as well, to always be thinking, questioning, and decoding.:D Your imagination is fluid, which adds to your listening audience understanding. People have a tendency to think they know things, based on experiences, and proceed to accomplish tasks without listening (hearing), and wonder why it did not turn out the way they expected. After the "Flood," Noah's Ark [Teva- the Word] rested on Mt. Ararat, the place of "refuge" and "vision." Things look so much better below when we lift up our eyes, and look down from Above through GD's Eyes, Intelligence, and His Word. Again, thank you for a very inspiring lesson.

Best wishes, Reply

Keishelle Achong Columbia May 27, 2026

When saying the Shema I’m crying out to Israel. … Reply

Alinur Dirshe Reston May 27, 2026

This great man. Reply

SuzyQ NYC May 25, 2026

Thank you for your teaching. Have been "doing" the Shema for a couple of years now. Initially, did not understand who was speaking & who was listening. Have begun to understand, that there is no listening - only, hearing - discerning, receptive, & humbling acceptance of the Truth. Or, as Wyoming Fred '25 put it , "Awareness in preparation" of receiving the Truth : that Ain od Milvado.
And let's not forget: Yisr-ael= Yashar (to) G-d. No intermediaries, no side roads - - the Real Deal! Reply

Lost33 Unknowncountry Reston May 27, 2026

in response to SuzyQ:

Respect Reply

María de Lourdes Fontao Espino México May 5, 2026

Gracias Rabino Tzivi Freeman, es muy hermoso lo que nos muestra vemos que es más importante que una vida llena de materialismo, que solo trae más vacio y soledad pero cuando nos refugiamos en Él Eterno, es tan grande y El Shemà es maravilloso le agradezco mucho por sus hermosas enseñanzas Reply

Fred Wyoming March 5, 2025

When we had little to demand or expound, we knew how to listen. Listening became less important the more we learned and the more we wanted. Listening is not acquisition, nor is it rejection. It is awareness in preparation. Today it is nearly impossible to not have unbidden by ourselves demands for our attention. Likewise, we engage a great deal in exposition both in our heads and via our mouths.. We, in the West, are a culture of things for acquisition and we engage a great deal in the efforts required to acquire. Listening is not a thing but a process. It does not glitter, because there is no it. Reply

Liz California December 27, 2022

I’m Black and growing up as a Christian we called our Grand Mother Shema.. We didn’t know what it meant it was short for see Ma when we wanted her to look at something. I understand later as I got older what we we’re actually saying all of those years. All
Praise be unto God! Reply

Dhanno Tann May 7, 2021

Toda Rabbah
Rabbi Tzvi Freeman Reply

Roy Panama via chabad.org May 18, 2020

Thank you so much for the teachings Rabbi. May Hashem bless you with Chabad. Reply

Bob M Ft Myers July 20, 2019

The Maybe the music that people are complaining about is just another way to train your mind to ignore what you find displeasing in this world and see only that which is uplifting. Really, that is a huge part of our journey. Think about how many relationships are damaged because all we can see is the annoying part of someone.

When I moved into a beautiful new place, I was devastated to realize how loud the garbage and delivery trucks were blocks away. They woke me up for months. Sometimes that was all I could hear. Now I never hear them.

It is not about the "trucks" in our lives. It's about us and our ability to see beyond the physical and live in the spiritual.
For those who can't be past it now, you absolutely will. It is your ultimate destiny but you don't have to wait that long for it. Reply

Hany Montreal July 22, 2019

in response to Bob M:

Theory and Practice Reply

Anonymous February 7, 2018

Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. Thank you for sharing your insight with us. I sense the power within ( Spark of Light) is a precious gift of life, a miracle expresssed at birth. The forever gift. Reply

Yehudit Katz israel June 30, 2017

Rabbi: Can you throw some light on the enlarged ayin and dalet in the Shema דע as knowledge and עד as 'witness' or 'testify' or to be 'consciously aware and having 'intimate knowledge'? and also is there a connection with the עד of ּועד spelled with a segol, vs a kamatz. Why is it translated as 'forever and ever' ( as in עד with a kamatz when 1) it seems to be related in meaning to the above shema statement with enlarged ע and ד, regarding being consciously aware and intimately present. -as in we are making a home for hashem in this world in the sanctuary of our material bodies. Isn't this traditional translation relating to time '...forever and ever' falling short of the true meaning and misleading? Thanks, Reply

Tzvi Freeman June 23, 2014

Re: Question about Read the story of how Yaakov's name was changed to Yisrael in Parshat Vayishlach. We have a fascinating essay on that called "Double Identity." Reply

Anonymous June 21, 2014

Question about "Israel" Thank you, Rabbi Freeman. I am always grateful for a deeper understanding/connection to the Wisdom of G_d.

I have a question regarding the word "Israel." In your presentation, you said that "Israel" means "the one who is the prince over all of the other angels." Could you please direct me as to how I can learn more about this? What can I study that will illuminate this further for me?

Again, many thanks. May the gifts you share with the world come back to you many times over. Reply

Amichai Schneller st.cloud MN March 5, 2014

thank you. Thank you for showing the vowels. Reply

susan davis clearwater, fl September 10, 2013

Shema meditation Thank you Rabbi. I appreciate that you are able to articulate what I have been blessed to perceive, but could not really grasp in a tangible way. I have listened to this part of the Shema many times to absorb and understand it so that it it is an awareness every time I say Shema. Now, before Yom Kippur I am very grateful for your thoughts and insights... Thank you again. Reply

Bill Hodge Auckland, New Zealand June 21, 2012

Thanks Rabbi. From my experience as a traditional Latin Catholic, genuinely helpful. Keep up the good work. God bless. Reply

Julia Rubin Hamilto, MA February 19, 2012

Thank You Dear Rabbi,
This is an awesome message. I found the music and effects meditative and transporting, which helped me open my mind to your words. I also enjoyed having the handouts, it makes the learning more interactive. I look forward to more teachings. Reply

Anonymous Brescia, Italy February 18, 2012

Thank you Dear Rabbi,
Thank you and again thank you. I really appreciate this great lesson and the ability you have to make me expand the thought about the Creation. I experienced wonderful feelings about our Creator.
The music in the background is - to me - also great and helped me focusing on your words of wisdom, on the very sound of your voice while describing the various layers of Intelligence surrounding us.
Great work, Kol HaKavod. Reply

Anonymous Oldsmar, Fl January 11, 2012

Spirituality Thank you Rabbi, I was looking forward to listening to your meditation on the Shmah. I ritght away thought,while listening, what a beautiful gift, I want to share it with my friends. I have felt this about so much in my learning, and see that some people just don;t "get it". They don't think; why am I here, or they say I am not spiritual. How can I share and reach people, when there seems to be so many that are on automatic. I hope you can help me, because I want to share His light. And He has made me with such a seeking spirit to get close to Him. Thank you again. Reply

Jewish Meditation

In order to give one’s words wings with which they may fly, we endeavor to infuse them with meditative intentions. Learning to inspire prayer with meditation greatly enhances the experience and imbues it with enhanced meaning and reach. This series offers guided meditations appropriate to everyday prayer.

Shema Yisrael, Part 1

Imagining Creation

Shema Yisrael, Part 1: Imagining Creation

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