Question:
While reciting Krias Shema during davening, I later realized that when I said the first verse of “Shema Yisrael,” I was distracted and did not concentrate on the meaning of the words. Do I need to repeat Shema? If so, how much must I repeat, and does it make a difference when I remembered?
Answer:
If one did not concentrate on the meaning of the first verse of Shema, he has not fulfilled the requirement of Krias Shema and must repeat it with proper concentration. If he realizes immediately, he should repeat the first verse (and Baruch Shem). If he only remembers after beginning Ve’ahavta, he must return and repeat from the beginning of Shema. If he remembers later, after already reaching the second paragraph, many Poskim rule that he should complete the paragraph he is currently reciting and then repeat the first verse together with the first paragraph of Ve’ahavta, and ther4e is no need to repeat the paragraphs of Vehayah. The same applies if he remembered in middle of Emes Veyatziv, that he is not required to repeat what he already read and is only required to repeat the Pasuk of Shema, Baruch Sheim etc, and the paragraph of Veahavata.
Explanation:
The primary obligation of concentration during Krias Shema applies to the first verse of Shema—“Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad”—and the verse of “Baruch Shem Kevod Malchuso Le’olam Va’ed.” These verses contain the essence of accepting the Kingship of Heaven, and therefore require focused concentration on their meaning.
Accordingly, if one recited the first verse without concentration on its meaning, he has not fulfilled the mitzvah properly and must repeat it. Likewise, if one did not concentrate on Baruch Shem, he should repeat that verse with concentration.
If one realizes his lack of concentration immediately, the correction is simple: he should repeat the necessary verse or verses with proper focus. If others are present, the repetition should be done quietly so that it does not appear as though he is accepting a second deity.
A more complicated question arises when one only remembers later. The Alter Rebbe rules that if one remembered only after beginning Ve’ahavta, he must repeat from the beginning of Shema. However, many Achronim explain that this does not necessarily mean he must immediately interrupt the paragraph he is currently reciting. Rather, if he remembered later, after already progressing further in Krias Shema, then he should complete the paragraph he is presently saying and then return to repeat Shema and the first paragraph of Ve’ahavta with proper concentration.
Thus, if one remembers after entering the second paragraph of “Vehayah Im Shamo’a,” many Poskim rule that he should continue until the conclusion of that paragraph and then return to repeat the first verse and the first paragraph. This avoids unnecessary interruption within the middle of the paragraph while still correcting the deficiency in the fulfillment of Krias Shema.
Some Poskim suggest that this requirement to repeat may only apply when one’s current recitation is serving as his fulfillment of the mitzvah of Krias Shema, and not when one had already fulfilled the mitzvah earlier before davening. Accordingly, if one already fulfilled the mitzvah before the time of davening and is now merely reciting Shema as part of the prayer service, there may be room to argue that repetition is not required if he did not concentrate by the first verse.
However, the straightforward implication of the Alter Rebbe and the classic Poskim does not appear to distinguish between these cases. Since the obligation to recite the first verse with concentration is presented without qualification, it would seem that the requirement to repeat applies whenever one is reciting Shema, even if he had already fulfilled the technical mitzvah earlier or is currently davening after the halachic time for Krias Shema has passed.
Sources:
Admur 63:5 “Although initially one must concentrate throughout all three paragraphs of Shema, the primary concentration is required for the first verse, as it contains the acceptance of the Kingship of Heaven. The same applies to the verse “Baruch Shem Kevod Malchuso Le’olam Va’ed,” which likewise contains acceptance of the Kingship of Heaven. However, from “Ve’ahavta” and onward, the text is phrased as commandments and instruction. Therefore, if one recited Krias Shema and did not concentrate on the first verse, or on “Baruch Shem Kevod Malchuso Le’olam Va’ed,” he must repeat them. Even those who hold that mitzvos generally do not require intent agree in this case that if one did not concentrate on the meaning, he has not fulfilled his Torah obligation, as explained in Siman 60. When repeating the verse “Shema Yisrael” a second time, he should recite it quietly if he is praying with the congregation, so that it should not appear as though he is accepting two authorities. If he did not realize that he lacked concentration until after he finished the entire paragraph, he must return to the beginning, as it is impossible to repeat it from the point at which he remembered, since that would constitute reading it out of order (lemafreia), and one does not fulfill his obligation in that manner, as will be explained in Siman 64.”; Michaber 63:4 “The primary concentration is on the first verse. Therefore, if one recited Shema without concentrating on the first verse, he has not fulfilled his obligation and must repeat it. Even according to the opinion that mitzvos generally do not require specific intent, everyone agrees in this case that concentration on the first verse is essential.”; Brachos 13b; Piskeiy Teshuvos 63:5
The requirement of concentration on the meaning of the first verse of Shema and Baruch Shem and the obligation to repeat the first verse if it was recited without concentration: Admur 63:5; Michaber 63:4; Brachos ibid; M”A 61:11 and 63:5; Levush 63:4; Ketzos Hashulchan 19:15
Repeating Shema quietly in the presence of others: Admur 63:5; Taz 63:3; Bach 61; Poskim in Kaf Hachaim 63:16
The ruling that if one remembered after beginning Ve’ahavta he must return to the beginning: Admur 63:5; M”A 63:6; Elya Raba 63:7; Ketzos Hashulchan 19:15; Kaf Hachaim 63:18
The Poskim’s explanation that one should complete the current paragraph before repeating and that one is only required to repeat the first Pasuk and the Paragraph of Veahavta: Chayeh Adam 21:19; Torah Lishmah 32; M”B 63:14; Piskeiy Teshuvos 63 footnote 44; See Admur 64:1
The opinion limiting the repetition requirement to one who has not yet fulfilled the mitzvah of Krias Shema: Chelek Levi O.C. 33; Piskeiy Teshuvos 63 footnote 46
Quick Reference Table: Forgot to Concentrate on the First Verse of Shema
| When Did You Realize? | What Must Be Repeated? | Repeat Immediately? | Notes |
| During the first verse of Shema Yisrael | Repeat the first verse with proper concentration | Yes | If in public, repeat quietly. |
| After finishing Shema Yisrael but before Baruch Shem | Repeat Shema Yisrael | Yes | Repeat quietly if others are present. |
| Did not concentrate on Baruch Shem alone and remembered before Ve’ahavta | Repeat Baruch Shem | Yes | No need to repeat Shema. |
| Remembered after beginning Ve’ahavta | Repeat from Shema Yisrael and continue through Ve’ahavta | Yes | Admur rules one must return to the beginning. |
| Remembered during Ve’ahavta | Complete the paragraph and then repeat Shema Yisrael, Baruch Shem, and Ve’ahavta | No | Many Acharonim rule not to interrupt in the middle of the paragraph. |
| Remembered during Vehayah Im Shamo’a | Finish Vehayah and then repeat Shema Yisrael, Baruch Shem, and Ve’ahavta | No | No need to repeat Vehayah a second time. |
| Remembered during Vayomer | Finish the paragraph and then repeat Shema Yisrael, Baruch Shem, and Ve’ahavta | No | No need to repeat the later paragraphs. |
| Remembered during Emes Veyatziv | Repeat only Shema Yisrael, Baruch Shem, and Ve’ahavta | Yes | No need to repeat what was already properly recited. |
| Already fulfilled Krias Shema earlier before davening and lacked concentration during the Shema of davening | Subject to dispute | — | Some Poskim rule repetition is unnecessary; however, the simple implication of Admur appears to require repetition even then. |
General Rules
| Law | Ruling |
| Main concentration requirement | The first verse of Shema Yisrael and Baruch Shem |
| Must understand the meaning? | Yes |
| Applies even according to those who hold mitzvos do not require intent? | Yes |
| Repeat aloud? | No. If in public, repeat quietly so as not to appear to accept two authorities. |
| Need to repeat all three paragraphs? | No. Generally only the deficient portion and Ve’ahavta must be repeated. |
| Need to repeat Vehayah after already saying it properly? | No. |
| Need to repeat Vayomer after already saying it properly? | No. |