Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism

Member Login
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Get To Know Us
    • HCRJ Photo Gallery
    • Our Rabbi
    • Our Staff
    • Our Board Of Trustees
  • Worship with us
    • High Holy Days
    • Shabbat Services
    • Special Shabbats
    • Havdalah
  • Connect with Us
    • Contact HCRJ
    • Find Us
    • Media
    • Video Library
    • Connect with Our Friends
  • Learning
    • Religious School
      • Philosophy
      • Registration
      • Calendar
      • Special Programs
      • Pictures
    • Youth Learning
      • HOUSTY
      • URJ Greene Family Camp
      • Prayer Library
    • Adult Learning
      • Jews around the World
      • Film Screenings
      • Book Discussions
      • Jewish/Muslim Christmas
      • Watercolor Classes
  • Social
    • Groups
      • Social Action
      • Senior Chai
      • Boomers and Friends
    • Events
      • Bingo
      • Mah Jongg Game Day
      • New and Prospective Member Shabbat
      • HCRJ Open Golf Tournament
      • Cars, Coffee & Conversation
      • Bark Mitzvah
      • HCRJ at the Astros
  • Calendar/Events
  • Membership

August 17, 2016

August 17, 2016 by HCRJ Web Admin

Dear Friends,

The Torah portion for this week contains the Shema, which is often referred to as “the watchword of our faith.” The Shema is the first Jewish phrase we learn as children and, traditionally, is the final phrase we utter before we die. It is a profound statement of faith and a powerful articulation of a way of understanding our existence. The words of the Shema are simple, and they proclaim a theology of comfort and hope:

Shema Israel Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad
“Hear oh, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One”

In reading the Shema, one might wonder why there are the two different words for God used in the Hebrew: Adonai and Eloheinu. One explanation suggests that these two names for God are there to remind us of two central traits we associate with the divine:

“Adonai” is understood to reflect God’s mercy and compassion.
“Eloheinu” is understood to reflect the God of Judgment.

According to this explanation, when we recite the Shema, we remind ourselves that God is always working in both realms. We need both justice and mercy in life, and by articulating that God provides an eternal source of both, Jews throughout history have found a sense of strength and comfort.

The idea that there is an eternal Judge of Truth has long provided the faithful with a sense of order in a world of chaos and confusion, and the idea that there is a transcendent source of comfort and mercy has served to ease our pains in the trials of life. Thus, the Shema, in six simple words, has remained the single phrase of comfort to Jews as they go to sleep at night, wake up in the morning and prepare for their final breath on earth.

L’Shalom-Steve

Filed Under: Weekly Reflections

Rabbi’s Message Categories

  • Weekly Reflections
  • Bulletin Messages
  • Sermons
  • Religious School
  • Events
  • Bulletins
  • Find Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Membership
  • Member Login

801 Bering Drive | Houston, Texas 77057 | Phone: 713-782-4162| Fax: 713-782-4167| hcrj@hcrj.org

Copyright © 2025 Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism All Rights Reserved

Website Development by Levy Marketing Group