the central statement of Jewish belief, the sentence "Hear, O Israel: the Lord is your God; the Lord is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4)
2.
the section of the liturgy consisting of this and related biblical passages, Deuteronomy 6:4–9 and 11:13–21 and Numbers 15:37–41, recited in the morning and evening prayers and on retiring at night
Word origin
Hebrew, literally: hear
Shema in American English
(ʃəˈmɑ)
noun
a declaration of the basic principle of Jewish belief, proclaiming the absolute unity of God
Word origin
< Heb shma < shma yisroel, Hear, O Israel (the opening words): see Deut. 6:4-9