Ritual & Liturgy:
The 2nd paragraph of the Sh'ma

Submitted by Rabbi Leila Gal Berner
email address: LGBerner@aol.com

Keep these words - V'haya im shamo'ah

This second paragraph of the blessings of the Sh'ma tells us -- tie a mental string around your finger -- remember -- that if you are lured away to worship other gods -- the gods of excessive materialism, the gods of neglect, the god that move you to pollute the Earth and take all her abundance for granted -- then -- the Earth will be destroyed, the heavens will close up and drought will parch the land, and there will be hunger and famine. So remember -- and teach the right and responsible way to your children. Then, your days and your children's days shall be multiplied on the land -- you shall live long and prosper -- for you will have chosen life over death, fertility over drought -- creation over destruction.