This week, we've been working on a prayer from the siddur entitled L’Olam Yehe Adam, in the Korbanot section. Each paragraph is truly a gold mine of information and inspiration. The entire prayer was an introduction to saying Shema during the times when the Jews were oppressed by the Romans and could not pray publicly. They were in hiding during times of deep oppression and Eliyahu Hanavi was actually the one that introduced part of this prayer (Tanna Devi Eliyahu chapter 21) for the people suffering. And we say the following, in the introduction to Keriat Shema, (Shema is not only said before the Amida, but also in Korbanot section. Some say it was inserted into Korbanot because the goyim were checking to see if they were saying Shema, so they had to put it in a different spot.) Regardless, in this portion, we are trying to pump ourselves up. We started off a little downbeat with, “ What are we? Who are we? People of name and fame are nothing. Who's important? We are the children Avraham Yitzhak and Yaakov. What's important? Your soul is important. And now that we have a soul, and we are the children of Avraham Yitzhak and Yaakov, we need to say- לְפִיכָךְ אֲנַֽחְנוּ חַיָּבִים לְהוֹדוֹת לְךָ וּלְשַׁבֵּחֲךָ וּלְפָאֶרְךָ וּלְבָרֵךְ וּלְקַדֵּשׁ וְלִתֵּן שֶֽׁבַח וְהוֹדָיָה לִשְׁמֶֽךָ: Lefichach, Anachnu/ We are chayav/ obligated to thank You, praise You, glorify You, or to uplift You, to give song and praise and thanks to Your great name. There are seven things listed, which the rabbis correspond to the seven negatives of What are we? What's my life etc. We can take those seven negatives of this fleeting world, and turn it all around when we say and realize, Hashem Echad That's what lasts. The Rambam writes that that when you kiss mezuza, you are supposed to remember that there is nothing everlasting but the knowledge of God. Everything else is hot air and vanity. Everything else does not last. Nothing lasts. The meal you ate doesn't last. Oh, but you said Birkat Hamazon? That lasts forever . Recognition of God lasts forever. Therefore, every day, consistently, and constantly, we're singing. What are we singing? אַשְׁרֵֽינוּ מַה טּוֹב חֶלְקֵֽנוּ וּמַה נָּעִים גּוֹרָלֵֽנוּ וּמַה יָּפָה יְרֻשָּׁתֵֽנוּ: אַשְׁרֵֽינוּ כְּשֶׁאָֽנוּ מַשְׁכִּימִים וּמַעֲרִיבִים בְּבָתֵּי כְנֵסִיּוֹת וּבְבָתֵּי מִדְרָשׁוֹת וּמְיַחֲדִים שִׁמְךָ בְּכָל־יוֹם תָּמִיד וְאוֹמְ֒רִים פַּעֲמַֽיִם בְּאַהֲבָה: Ashrenu/ Fortunate are we, how great is our portion ? How sweet is our lot? My inheritance is great. Oh what an inheritance I got! What’d you get? Millions of dollars? A house and car? No. Do you know what my inheritance is? That my parents taught me Hashem Echad! That's my inheritance. Oh, is that good! Oh, is that sweet! Oh, is that great! Ashrenu ! Fortunate are we ( we say it was a second time), that we get there (to shul) early and come back late. And constantly ( because this is one of the six constant Mitzvot), all day, we make God's name One and realize He’s the only thing that counts. We say it twice. But we don't just say it, we say it with love. Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokenu Hashem Echad… What an introduction . This daily introduction is to appreciate what Keriat Shema is. This is all about the month of Elul, to get us ready for the high holidays. Because as we know, and as we've gone through in the past, the most important prayer of Rosh Hashanah is the Musaf prayer, which has three additional inserts, Malchuyot, God's kingdom. Zichronot, God remember us for the good, and Shofarot, the blowing of the shofar. And it all starts with it all starts with Malchuyot . We have to accept Hashem as King. The 10th highlight Pasuk of that section is, Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokenu Hashem Echad… We say that in Musaf, and it’s what's going to give us a good year- Realizing Hashem Echad . There is nothing else but God. He's in charge of everything. That's the secret to a good year. Rav Wolbe writes that over the entire month of Elul, as many times as a person says Keriat Shema (depending how many times you say it as a man or a lady), he should say it as a preparation for Rosh Hashanah, and say it right. (Tomorrow we will discuss what the words Shema Yisrael mean). Say it right. Say it with kavana/focus. Say it slowly. The Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim ( as quoted by Rav Wolbe) says that it’s a lifetime’s work. It takes years to say Keriat Shema properly; to say every word properly, to have the proper thoughts, the proper intention, the proper feeling. It’s the fundamental of our religion, Whether we're in good times, saying Shema at a Brit Milah or if it’s the last word on person's lips. Shema Yisrael. That is the Jewish cry. We should say it at the top of our lungs with kavana, and appreciate how lucky we are to say Keriat Shema twice a day. Have a wonderful day.