🔥Daily Tanya – Chapter 49 Part 2: Why do we recite Birchas Kerias Shema Summary Table

*The article below is an excerpt from the above Sefer

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from  qualifying purchases.

Donate

Buy in Paperback or Kindle


Buy on Apple Books


Purchase on our website


Sign up for Daily Distribution

19th Iyar

1. Why do we recite Birchas Kerias Shema?

• Based on the above explanation, we can understand why the sages instituted for one to recite the blessings over the Shema, with two blessings said before its recital, and two blessings said after its recital.
• The question: Seemingly, these blessings have no connection whatsoever with the paragraphs of the Shema as written by the Rashba and other Poskim. Hence, it is not understood as to why they were established to be recited prior to the recital of Shema, and as to why they are called the blessings of the Shema.

 

2. Purpose of Shema-To love G-d unconditionally:

• The answer: The main purpose of the daily Shema recital is to fulfill the words “with all your heart and with both of your inclinations” by standing against all impediments that prevent one from properly loving G-d. This is inherent within the words of the Shema.
• “With all your heart”-wife and children: The words “with all your heart” that are said in the Shema refer to the natural love that one has for his wife and children. This natural love may act as an impediment in one achieving love of G-d and properly serving Him. Hence, we recite in the Shema that we will give up even this natural love for the sake of serving G-d and loving Him.
• “Your soul and your money”: The words “Your soul and your money” that are said in the Shema refer to giving up one’s life and sustenance for the sake of G-d, which represents in essence giving up everything for the sake of loving G-d.

 

3. The meditations of Birchas Kerias Shema that help stimulate the above level of love:

• We can now understand the purpose of the blessings said before the Shema, as they are there in order to help stimulate the above level of love. As on the onset, it is most wondrous as to how a person can reach such a high level of love for G-d to give up everything on his behalf. Hence, this is accomplished by contemplating the subjects brought in the before blessing of Yotzer Or of the Shema, as we will now explain.

4. The first blessing of Yotzer Or:

• The Angels scream in fear and trepidation of G-d: The first blessing of Yotzer Or discusses in length the order of the Angels within the various spiritual worlds and the fear and trepidation they have for G-d. Its purpose is to inform us of G-d’s greatness and how everything is nullified to His Divine light and how everything is fearful of Him. They scream in fear and sanctify G-d saying that He is holy.
• The Angels receive limited revelation of G-dliness: By saying so the Angels are expressing that angels of even the highest level do not receive a revelation of the essence of G-dliness and that G-d is separate even from them and hence they fall in trepidation when He is revealed. The same applies regarding the Angels known as the Ofanim and Chayos Hakodesh, that they scream to G-d and exclaim “blessed be the glory of G-d in His place,” as they do not know or comprehend His place, as He alone is elevated and holy.
• The Jewish people receive G-d’s true revelation: In contrast, however, the Jewish people above and below receive the true revelation of G-d as the verse states that He fills all the world with his glory.

(LY) 19th Iyar

5. The second blessing of Ahavas Olam:

• The second blessing discusses G-d’s love for the Jewish people and how He abandoned all of the celestial hosts of heaven and dwelled His Divine presence specifically on the Jewish people, to the point that He is called our personal G-d just as he was called G-d of Abraham. This is all due to G-d’s great love for us which causes Him to push himself above and beyond the norm.
• The words “Ahavas Olam”: The meaning of the words “Ahavas Olam-love of world” is that G-d has contracted His great infinite light of revelation in order, so it be invested within a limited space which is referred to as a world. This itself was done due to G-d’s great love for the Jewish people, in order so they be able to attach to Him and be incorporated within His unity.
• The words “Chemla Gedola Viseira”: The meaning of the words “Chemla Gedola Viseira-a great compassion” is that G-d has allowed the Jewish people to become close to Him much more than the celestial beings due to His great compassion for us.
• The words “Uvanu Bacharta Mikol Am Vilashon”: The meaning of the words “Uvanu Bacharta Mikol Am Vilashon-and He has chosen us from all the nations” is that G-d has chosen the bodies of the Jewish people despite the fact that they are physical and corporeal and look similar to the bodies of the Gentile nations.
• The words “Vikeiravtanu…Lehodos”: The meaning of the words ” Vikeiravtanu…Lehodos – and He has brought us close….to give thanks” will be explained elsewhere.
• The words “Uliyachedecha”: The meaning of the words ” Uliyachedecha-to unify You” is that all the above was done by G-d in order so the Jew be incorporated within His unity, as explained above.

 

Section	Main idea / key points
1. Why do we recite Birchas Kerias Shema?	·         Sages instituted two berachos before Shema and two after. ·         Question: These blessings seemingly have no direct connection to the paragraphs of Shema (per Rashba and other Poskim). Why are they placed before Shema, and why are they called “Birchos Shema”?
2. Purpose of Shema: Unconditional love of G‑d	·         Answer: Shema’s daily purpose is to fulfill “with all your heart” (both inclinations) by overcoming impediments to loving G‑d. ·         “With all your heart”: readiness to forgo even natural love for wife and children for the sake of serving and loving G‑d. ·         “Your soul and your money”: readiness to forgo life and sustenance—i.e., everything—for love of G‑d.
3. Role of Birchos Kerias Shema	·         The berachos before Shema provide meditations that stimulate the above level of love. ·         They address how a person can reach such a lofty state—through contemplation of themes in Yotzer Or (and then Ahavas Olam).
4. First berachah: Yotzer Or	·         Angelic awe: describes orders of angels and their fear/trepidation; they sanctify G‑d (“He is holy”). ·         Limited angelic revelation: even highest angels do not grasp the essence; Ofanim/Chayos proclaim “Blessed be the glory…,” not knowing His “place.” ·         Contrast: the Jewish people receive a true revelation—“the whole world is filled with His glory.”
5. Second berachah: Ahavas Olam	·         Focuses on G‑d’s love for the Jewish people: He “abandons” the celestial hosts and dwells His Presence on Israel, becoming our personal G‑d. ·         “Ahavas Olam”: contraction of the infinite light so it can be invested in a limited “world,” enabling Jewish attachment and incorporation in His unity. ·         “Chemla Gedola Viseira”: special compassion bringing Israel closer than celestial beings. ·         “Uvanu Bacharta…”: choosing Jewish bodies despite physical similarity to the nations. ·         “Vikeiravtanu…Lehodos”: noted for later explanation. ·         “Uliyachedecha”: all of the above is to enable the Jew to be incorporated in Divine unity.

Related Articles