1. שמע ישראל ה’ אלוקינו ה’ אחד
“Hear Yisrael, Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is one!”
It is a positive commandment to believe that Hashem is the only thing that really exists and to realize that he is the sole G-d and there is nothing else, as it says “Hear Yisrael, Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is one!”. The explanation of this verse is that Yisrael should listen and know that Hashem created everything of His own free will, and He is our G-d who watches over all the worlds. He is the only G-d, without any other.
2. ולא תתורו אחרי לבבכם ואחרי עיניכם
“And you may not stray after your hearts and your eyes!”
It is a negative commandment that we should not stray after the thoughts of the heart and the visions of the eyes. Included in the interdiction to stray after the heart are all thoughts which are contrary to the Torah view. Included in the prohibition to stray after one’s eyes are all the pleasures of this world, unless one has good intentions.
3. ואהבת את ה’ אלקיך בכל לבבך
“And you shall love Hashem your G-d with all your heart!”
It is a positive commandment to love Hashem. A person should put all of his thoughts and aims towards love of Hashem, and consider the fact that everything that a person has in this world, wealth, children, honor etc., is all as nothing at all in relation to love of Hashem. He should constantly exert himself to seek the wisdom of the Torah, so that he may reach knowledge of Hashem.
One who fixes his thoughts on the empty things of this world not for the sake of heaven has transgressed this commandment.
4. את ה’ אלוקיך תירא
“You must fear Hashem your G-d!”
It is a positive commandment that the fear of Hashem should be permanently on our faces, so that we will not sin. If an opportunity to commit a sin appears, one is obligated to arouse oneself and consider that Hashem watches over all of the deeds of man even if they are performed in darkness, and He repays according to the wickedness of the deed.
5. לא יהיה לך אלהים אחרים על פני
“You shall not have other gods before Me!”
It is a negative commandment that we should not believe in any other “god” apart from Hashem. Even someone who admits that Hashem rules over everything, but thinks that He delegated the supervision of this world to an angel, is considered like serving idols. One must believe that Hashem Himself supervises all the worlds, and no creation has the ability to do anything without His will.
6. אנוכי ה’ אלוקיך אשר הוצאתיך מארץ מצרים
“I am Hashem your G-d who took you out from the land of Egypt!”
It is a positive commandment to believe that there is one G-d in the world, who created everything, and it is only through His will that everything is done. He always existed and will continue existing forever. He took us out of Egypt and gave us the Torah, as it says “I am Hashem your G-d who took you out from the land of Egypt!”. The explanation of this that you should know and believe that there is a G-d in the world who looks after it, as we see that He took us out of Egypt.
