05 Aug UNITED THROUGH SHEMA

Shema Yisroel…
This week’s parsha, Va’eschanan, contains
the opening paragraph of Shema, a prayer
that has been on our lips throughout the
ages.
“V’shenantam l’vanecha, And you shall
teach them to your children…” (Devarim
6:7) I have childhood memories of my
parents tucking me in and saying Shema
with me. When I become a mommy, it was
my turn to cradle the little ones, and say the
words of Shema with them.
Shema. Words to live by. We first find the

Shema said by Yaakov Avinu. After twenty-
two years of separation, Yaakov and his

beloved son, Yosef, finally reconnect. The
Chumash tells us that Yosef fell upon his
father’s shoulder, crying. Yet, there is no
mention of Yaakov falling upon Yosef’s
shoulder. Rashi explains that Yaakov’s first
reaction was to say the Shema. Though
Yaakov was overcome by happiness, his
first thoughts were to express gratitude and
thanksgiving to HaShem.

In the Torah, we find that the final letter of
the word Shema, ayin, and the final letter in
the word Echad, dalet, are written in a larger
print. These letters, ayin and dalet, spell the
Hebrew word ayd, meaning witness. Every
time we recite the Shema, we are testifying
to the presence of HaShem in every facet of
our life, that there is a G-d who runs the
world, and we are all in His hands.
In more contemporary times, there are
stories of Shema in both instrances of
happiness and tragedy. The Shema was
recited by so many kedsoshim as they faced
imminent death during the Holocaust. My
own zeide, HaRav Yisroel Jungreis, died al
Kiddush HaShem in Auschwitz. He was
saying Shema as he lovingly held a
grandchild in his arms while being led to
the gas chambers.
The Kaliver Rebbe relates a story that took
place in the Breslau concentration camp.
He noticed a little boy talking to himself as
he wandered around between the barracks.
Concerned for the child, the Rebbe
approached him and asked for his name.
The little boy began to cry. “I’m Yitzchok
Winnig from Warsaw. My entire family was

killed. I’m all alone. My mother’s
last words to me were to say the
Shema whenever I’m frightened.”
For the little boy, the Shema was
his security blanket in the midst of
the most horrific conditions.
During the war, many children
were turned over to convents by
well-meaning but desperate parents,
in the hope of saving their lives. In
1945, Rabbi Eliezer Silver, a US
Army chaplain, along with others,
undertook the difficult task of
locating and rescuing these children. At one
convent which Rabbi Silver had been
informed housed many such children, he
approached the priest in charge, who denied
the presence of any Jewish children.
Additionally, he told Rabbi Silver that he
didn’t present any documents to prove
otherwise.
The Rabbi asked if he could please return in
the evening when the children go to sleep.
The priest obliged. Rabbi Silver returned
and walked through the rooms where the
children were readying themselves for bed.
As he loudly called out the words of Shema
Yisroel, dozens of children came running
to him with tears in their eyes. The Shema
ignited a memory of a mama who stood by
their bedside saying Shema.
The words of Shema are not just for
children, but gives hope and strength to
all. There is the story of the Klausenberger
Rebbe who tragically lost his wife and
children in the Holocaust. He was asked
how he survives, and not just survive but
is a pillar of faith to so many. The Rebbe
responded that it was all from his mother.
He will never forget the love his mother
had shown as she said Shema with him
every night
Next week, on 19 Av, will be the ninth
yahrtzeit of my beloved mother, Rebbetzin
Esther bas HaRav Avraham HaLevi.
During the last months of her life, she
initiated a Shema Yisroel campaign. From
the depths of her heart, my mother wanted
to do something to bring Am Yisroel
together. A mitzva everyone can do, no
matter the age or background. To get every
Jew to say Shema Yisroel, thereby uniting
us and paving the road for Moshiach.
Since October 7, there have been so many
Shema Yisroel stories. Stories of emuna,
bitachon and nissim, all relating to the
saying of Shema. Roi Asaraf and his wife
Yonah were at the Nova festival. As soon
as the rockets began flying, they made the
decision to get in their car and escape the
scene. After only a few minutes of being
on the road, they realized they were in

trouble. They were surrounded by gun-
toting terrorists.

Roi quickly put one hand on his wife’s
head, pushing it down, protecting her from
possible bullets. The other hand was on the
steering wheel, while his foot was pressing
down on the gas pedal. All the while, Roi
was calling out, Shema Yisroel. The bullets
whizzed by, but Roi and Yonah remained
unscathed.
When the terrorists attacked, Eliya Cohen
ran to a shelter. But, for Hamas, that wasn’t
an obstacle, and Eliya was taken hostage.
Shema Yisroel became his prayer in
captivity. After being released, he returned
to the shelter to say Shema. This time, it
was a Shema of thanksgiving and gratitude.
Elie Sharabi endured much suffering. After
491 days as a captive, he emerged as a
skeleton of a man. While he was being held
in the dark tunnels of Hamas, Elie began
reciting the Shema daily. Tragically, upon
being released, he learned that his wife and
two daughters were brutally murdered by
Hamas. But the words of Shema remained
with him.

Benny Chasson and his wife spent twenty-
two hours in a safe room. They heard the

sound of terrorists and gunfire outside.
They were afraid to open up even after the
IDF arrived to rescue them. “Finish the
sentence,” Benny called out. “Shema
Yisroel…” The soldiers answered “…
HaShem Elokeinu, HaShem Echad.”
And then there are instances of joy and
happiness that precipitate one’s saying
Shema. Many years ago, I remember being
at an engagement party. The chosson stood
up, proclaiming the words of Shema as he
gave public thanks to HaShem for bringing
him to the happiest day of his life.
This Shabbos is Shabbos Nachanu, a
Shabbos of consolation, a Shabbos of
healing. The haftora opens with the words,
“Nachamu, nachamu ami, Be comforted, be
comforted, My people”. After all that Klal
Yisroel has endured, may the merit of the
millions upon millions of the Shema being