EPILOGUE: Extending the “Six Dawns” Idea to Other Prayers (Part 5 of 6)

In <a href="https://www.alephbeta.org/playlist/shacharit-morning-prayers" target="_blank">Making Sense of: Morning Prayers</a>, Rabbi Fohrman explained the importance of including shema and its blessings in the morning service. He showed how this prayer draws our attention to the inspiring nature of dawn and reminds us of the very first dawn, the dawn of creation. But shema isn’t just said in the morning. It’s included in the evening prayers. It’s said before bed at night. It even shows up in the repetition of the shemoneh esrei. Can Rabbi Fohrman’s insights into why we say shema each morning help us make sense of why we say shema these other times as well? 

The answer to this question is a resounding: Yes. In this audio epilogue, Rabbi Fohrman extends the connection between shema and creation, first introduced in <a href="https://www.alephbeta.org/playlist/shacharit-morning-prayers" target="_blank">Making Sense of: Morning Prayers</a>, to the evening prayers and kedusha, elucidating some of the profound theological themes of these prayers along the way. The result is a comprehensive understanding of shema that brings meaning to the use of this prayer in any context. 

This video is based on content that originated from part 2 of a 3 part lecture series on A Tale of God's Two Names. For a more in depth understanding of these materials, be sure to listen to A Tale of Two Names: Elokim and YHVH, A Tale of Two Names: Why Were There Days of Creation? and A Tale of Two Names: From The Garden To The Flood.