Meditations

” ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.’ ” (Matt 22:36-38) “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deut 6:4-5)

The “Shema” is the most important prayer in Judaism. “The ‘Shema’ is the transliteration of the first Hebrew word in Deuteronomy 6:4, translated as ‘Hear!’ So, in terms of ancient ways of announcing important news or proclamations, we know that as far back as Moses (3,400 years ago), people would use the term, “Hear!” or “Hear ye!” to get the people’s attention. “The custom of making public announcements by calling out ‘Hear ye!’ eventually led to town criers. Prior to widespread literacy, the town crier would carry a handbell, dress elaborately, and cry out ‘Oyez,’ which derived from the Anglo-Saxon word for ‘listen,’ and became, ‘O Yes, O Yes!’ as the English language evolved. The term, ‘Posting a Notice,’ comes from the act of a town crier, who having read his message in the streets of the village, would then nail it to the door post of the local inn. Some newspapers took the name ‘The Post’ for this reason.” (“Black’s Law Dictionary,” 1860)

Interestingly, as we continue reading through the commandment in Deuteronomy 6, we see that one of Moses’ instructions is to “write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” The entire prayer was given as an instruction by Moses to remind the Israelites of the importance of ordering their lives in accordance with God’s laws. When asked by a teacher of the Law, Jesus quoted it as the greatest commandment, no doubt because it is so all encompassing. Heart, soul, and strength is another way of saying one’s whole self; love God with all your being.” (David Jeremiah) Perhaps Moses and Jesus were both reminding us of the importance of getting the actual message correct by “posting” them on our hearts rather than depending on what we might learn from the word on the streets. Apparently putting a “spin” on the news has been going on since ancient times. Just ask Eve! (Gen 3:1 and 1 John 4:1)

David