The Shema has been described as the "central watchword" of Jewish faith. For centuries, Jews have pronounced this single sentence affirming God's unity as their final words before dying; they have also begun and ended each day with this prayer on their lips.

Using the Shema as his focus, Norman Lamm, prominent Orthodox scholar and long-time president of Yeshiva University, explores the relationship between spirituality and law in Judaism. The book represents an extensive commentary on the words of the Shema, drawing upon a wide range of traditional sources and the author's own reflections.