Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.
DEUTERONOMY (6:4)
שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְ-הוָה אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ יְ-הוָה אֶחָד
דברים ו:ד
She-MA yis-ra-EL ah-do-NAI eh-lo-HAY-noo ah-do-NAI eh-KHAD
Remember, each Hebrew letter has a number value and each number corresponds to a unique Hebrew word. The single most important truth in Judaism is the belief in monotheism as attested to in today’s fundamental verse. The word, “One” / אחד adds up to 13: א = 1; ח = 8; and ד = 4. The number 13 is also the number value of ‘love’ / אהבה since 2א = 1; ה = 5; ב = ה = 5. The hidden message of this is that the greatest love is God’s love for us and at the same time we are also commanded to “Love your neighbor as yourself, I am the Lord” (Lev. 19:18). When we come towards one another in love, God’s presence is felt.
Today’s Israel Photograph
This stunning photo of the sun setting over the Israeli beach.
