In the book of Dueteronomy Moses sets out to reiterate what the people called Israel already knew. But since it is true that repetition makes for remembering he proceeds to tell it to them again. And so, Moses begins again by saying “Hear Israel”. The affirmation of loyalty to Yahweh in this verse is traditionally called the “Shema” from this opening call to attention, which in Hebrew is shema’ yisra’el. The Shema represents the greatest commandment of Judaism and Christianity, as it represents God’s expectation that God’s people will remain wholly loyal to him. Lest we forget, they had formerly had no country to call their own, they had spent over 400 hundred years in bondage down in Egypt, and 40 years wandering in the desert. Now they were about the enter the Promised Land, where their love and loyality to the Lord would be tested.