The recital of the Shema is an important commandment as it contains both the acceptance of the yoke of heaven and the acceptance of the yoke of the commandments. This commandment is dependent on the intent of the heart, as if he did not concentrate at least when reciting the first verse he has not fulfilled his obligation. He must concentrate on the fact that he is accepting Hashem upon himself as a master and patron and that he believes that Hashem is unique and One, One in the heaven and earth and the four directions of the world, and that he is ready to give away his life to sanctify Hashem’s Name. What a pity that there are people who do not even have this intention in which case until the day of their death they have not fulfilled this commandment. One who hears this will pay attention to have this intention from now onwards and he will repent and be healed. The best thing is to concentrate on the whole of the recital of the Shema as ideally one should concentrate on the explanation of the entire recital.
