Thursday, January 14, 2016

The St. John's Bible- The Shema

 Hear, O Israel,
 2003
Special Treatment
Deuteronomy 6:4-5(NRSV)
Hazel Dolby
Scribe: Sue Hofton
Vellum with ink and paint

Throughout the St. John's Bible, 
special attention is given to verses of scripture
 referenced with the Rule of Benedict
 and of significant to the St. John's community 
prayer life or that of other traditions.
The Hear O Israel special treatments 
appears in Deuteronomy 6 
and is known as the Shema which, 
in Hebrew, means "to hear or listen." 
The Shema is an affirmation of Judaism
 and a proclamation of faith in one God. 
This profession of faith is often prayed 
by people of the Jewish faith
 every morning and evening, 
summing up the first and second commandments 
to "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God,
 the Lord is One."

This verse also has significance 
to the St. John's Abbey monks since 
"listen" is the first rule in the Rule of St. Benedict. 
The rule, which governs the communal
 life of the monastery,
implores the monks to
 "listen with the ear of your heart."

The Shema illustration here highlights
 one of my personal highlights of this passage.
WITH ALL
WITH ALL
WITH ALL





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