Judaism's ultimate prayer is the Shema, a declaration of God's unity. And the ultimate word in the Shema is its last word, echad ("one"). The sages gave detailed instructions how this important word should be pronounced.
"Sommachus says: 'All who prolong the word echad will have their days and years prolonged.' Rabbi Acha bar Yaakov said that one should prolong the letter dalet. Rabbi Assi added: 'Provided that he does not slur over the letter chet.'" (Berachot 13b)
Why should the word echad be stretched out? And what is the significance of the letters dalet and chet?
The Talmud explains that one should say echad long enough to declare God king over all that is above, below and to the four sides of heaven ("arba ruchot hashamayim").
When we proclaim God's unity in the Shema, we acknowledge His unique control of the universe. While His absolute reign may be expressed in spatial terms (in all directions), a more insightful analysis expresses God's control over all events that take place in the world. We may divide up the universe into three functional categories:
1. The initial causes that place into motion all of the myriad actions and events in the world.
2. The final effects or goals that are the fulfillment of the original causes.
3. The various intermediate means that lead from the initial causes to the ultimate effects.
God's reign incorporates all three categories. He rules over the heavens - i.e., the initial causes. His control extends to the earth - the completion and fulfillment of each goal. And His rule even includes the diverse intermediate means and events. These means are called the "four sides of the heavens", as they form an intermediate stage connecting the heavens (the causes) with the earth (the goals).
Why is God's oneness so crucial? What is the principle message to be derived from the Shema? By recognizing this underlying unity, we acknowledge that all of the various events in the world - even though they appear to be dispersed and disconnected like the four sides of the heavens - are in fact directed towards one unified purpose, towards the goal of that which is good and elevated.
Why prolong the letter dalet when saying the Shema? Dalet has the numerical value of four. It represents the four diverse directions, the myriad intermediate means in the universe. By emphasizing the dalet, we affirm the connection of these means to the unified goal of creation.
Still, the heavens and the earth should not be disregarded. In order that the intermediate means will be properly valued, we need to contemplate the elevated counsel directing all events towards their purpose. And we should consider the value of the sublime goal as it is achieved and revealed in its splendor.
Thus, the letter chet needs to be articulated clearly. Chet has the numerical value of eight, representing the seven levels of heaven together with the earth. These eight levels indicate the various stages, from the initial cause to its final, practical fulfillment. In addition, the number eight signifies the realm of time: the seven days of the week, and the eighth dimension, unlimited by the confines of time.
Swallowing up the chet would indicate insensitivity to the value of the initial cause and the final goal. Then, the intermediary events and actions of the world would lose their significance.
[Based on Ein Aya vol. I p.71; and Olat Riya vol. I p. 245]
"Sommachus says: 'All who prolong the word echad will have their days and years prolonged.' Rabbi Acha bar Yaakov said that one should prolong the letter dalet. Rabbi Assi added: 'Provided that he does not slur over the letter chet.'" (Berachot 13b)
Why should the word echad be stretched out? And what is the significance of the letters dalet and chet?
The Talmud explains that one should say echad long enough to declare God king over all that is above, below and to the four sides of heaven ("arba ruchot hashamayim").
When we proclaim God's unity in the Shema, we acknowledge His unique control of the universe. While His absolute reign may be expressed in spatial terms (in all directions), a more insightful analysis expresses God's control over all events that take place in the world. We may divide up the universe into three functional categories:
1. The initial causes that place into motion all of the myriad actions and events in the world.
2. The final effects or goals that are the fulfillment of the original causes.
3. The various intermediate means that lead from the initial causes to the ultimate effects.
God's reign incorporates all three categories. He rules over the heavens - i.e., the initial causes. His control extends to the earth - the completion and fulfillment of each goal. And His rule even includes the diverse intermediate means and events. These means are called the "four sides of the heavens", as they form an intermediate stage connecting the heavens (the causes) with the earth (the goals).
Why is God's oneness so crucial? What is the principle message to be derived from the Shema? By recognizing this underlying unity, we acknowledge that all of the various events in the world - even though they appear to be dispersed and disconnected like the four sides of the heavens - are in fact directed towards one unified purpose, towards the goal of that which is good and elevated.
Why prolong the letter dalet when saying the Shema? Dalet has the numerical value of four. It represents the four diverse directions, the myriad intermediate means in the universe. By emphasizing the dalet, we affirm the connection of these means to the unified goal of creation.
Still, the heavens and the earth should not be disregarded. In order that the intermediate means will be properly valued, we need to contemplate the elevated counsel directing all events towards their purpose. And we should consider the value of the sublime goal as it is achieved and revealed in its splendor.
Thus, the letter chet needs to be articulated clearly. Chet has the numerical value of eight, representing the seven levels of heaven together with the earth. These eight levels indicate the various stages, from the initial cause to its final, practical fulfillment. In addition, the number eight signifies the realm of time: the seven days of the week, and the eighth dimension, unlimited by the confines of time.
Swallowing up the chet would indicate insensitivity to the value of the initial cause and the final goal. Then, the intermediary events and actions of the world would lose their significance.
[Based on Ein Aya vol. I p.71; and Olat Riya vol. I p. 245]