Another matter: “Hear, Israel” (Deuteronomy 6:4) – from when did Israel merit to recite Shema? It was from the time when Jacob was about to die. He summoned all the tribes75Jacob’s sons, the progenitors of the tribes. and said to them: ‘Will you perhaps prostrate yourselves to another god after I pass from the world?’ From where is this derived?
For so it is written: “Assemble and hear, sons of Jacob [and heed Israel your father]” (Genesis 49:2). What is “and heed Israel [el Yisrael] your father”? He said to them: ‘The God of Israel [El Yisrael] is your Father.’ They said to him: “Hear, Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4), and he said in a whisper: ‘Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever.’
Rabbi Levi said: What does Israel say now? ‘Hear, our father Israel; the same matter that you commanded us, we continue to observe: “The Lord is our God, the Lord is one.”’