Biblical Narrative

Rebecca Esquenazi
JS 300
Sept. 12 2011
Biblical Analysis
Within the Tanach, there are countless stories about influential characters that shaped Jewish history in one way or another. Many tell a story about a particular hero, and others simply relay different rules that make up halacha, Jewish law. The passage I chose has to do with one of the most famous Jewish heroes Moses, in the book of Deuteronomy chapter 6. It is a very meaningful point in the lives of the Jewish people. Moses is listing off commandments that G-d has just given to him on Mount Sinai, thus preaching his affirmation for G-d and convincing the Jewish population to follow his beliefs as well. This is an emotional and pivotal moment in Jewish history, and perhaps the most repeated story in its religion.
Other stories in the Torah may have heroes or heroines, such as: Abraham, Jacob, or even Joseph, but when Moses gives his proclamation that God has relayed to him in Chapter 6:4 to the Jewish people, “She-mah Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad.” “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.”   It is one of the most sincere moments which make this passage so important.   Moses is exclaiming to the Jewish people that as Jews we believe in one God and only one God. None before Him   and none after Him.   This, above everything else is the central theme to this chapter, and most importantly to Judaism itself. These words are said every morning and every night still today, to remind the Jewish people to always listen to G-d’s words and commands.
Moses goes on to tell the Jewish people that they should fear G-d, but love Him with all their hearts, and with their souls. He is pointing out that“G-d is a powerful and   jealous G-d” (6.15). These are also concepts that the narrator is trying to point out through these statements. The narrator has given us many different themes such as: belief, love, and fear, but what do they all mean? In the Torah, it says to fear and love God at the same...