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