The Secret Shema of Yom Kippur - Letters and numbers of the festivals—Yom Kippur

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The Secret Shema of Yom Kippur: Letters and numbers of the festivals—Yom Kippur

In our prayers, the verse “Shema Yisrael” is followed by a verse that appears nowhere in the Torah. What is its origin? Why do we whisper it all year long, and why do we say it out loud on Yom Kippur?

Handouts:	Yom Kippur
Audio:	Listen to Audio \| Download this MP3
Topics:	Festivals, Shema, Yom Kippur

Aaron L. Raskin

Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin is the official Chabad emissary to downtown Brooklyn, rabbi of Congregation B’nai Avraham in Brooklyn Heights, New York and Dean of Brooklyn Heights Jewish Academy. He is the author of the books, “Thank You God for Making Me a Woman", "Letters of Light", "By Divine Design", and "Guardian of Israel", and the co-author of "The Rabbi & The CEO".

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13 Comments

Nechama Dina Hendel Jerusalem September 18, 2023

So beautiful, thank you! Reply

Dl September 12, 2021

Unbelievable !! The story was very inspiring in so many ways. Thank you rabbi Raskin ! Reply

Rabbi Raskin Bklyn Hts September 25, 2018

Dear Clem,

Thank you for noticing, it encourages us to do more! Reply

Clem Douglas Browns Plains - Brisbane 4118 September 25, 2018

Baruch Hashem for the great work Chabad does around this globe Reply

Bella California October 4, 2014

Amazing lessons! I really loved the last story it was very touching and inspiring.

G-D Bless All! Reply

Rabbi Raskin Bklyn Hts September 25, 2018

in response to Bella:

Thank u

Wishing you a great new year! Reply

Yankl Koppl Jericho, NY October 1, 2014

Thank you so much Rabbi, Your teaching will make my Yom Kippur more meaningful and strengthen my connection to G-d and our people.

May you and your family be blessed in the New Year. Reply

Newman UK September 30, 2014

Shiur. Brilliant! Reply

Anonymous leicester September 23, 2012

Brilliant! BH

Toda Raba! Reply

Michal Sarah New York, NY September 21, 2012

Yom Kippur Dear Rabbi Raskin,
What an amazing, beautiful and inspiring lesson...wow! It brought tears to my eyes...thank you so much for always being a channel for the light of the Creator to us.
Shanah Tovah and Shabbat Shalom. Reply

Irene Glen Burnie, MD USA September 16, 2012

The secret Shema Shalom Rabbi Raskin:

This was a very interesting lesson which I enjoyed very much.

Thank you and may all the blessings that G-d has for you be upon you today and in the future. G-d's wisdom dwells within you. Reply

Editor October 17, 2011

Spanish We would love to eventually make all of our classes available in all of the languages that chabad.org appears in. Reply

Anonymous Pasto, Colombia October 6, 2011

Spanish shalom, Could you caption (subtitle) the videos into Spanish for Hispanics can learn all of its teachings?
Toda raba Reply