One of the primary expressions of Jewish faith, recited twice daily in prayer, is called the Shema [“shema” is the Hebrew word meaning “hear” or “listen”]. This section of Scripture (see below) is called the Shema because that is its first word.
Deuteronomy 6:4 and 5 Hear [Shema], O Israel! Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is one! You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
“This simple statement encompasses several different ideas:
1. There is only one God. No other being participated in the work of creation. 2. God is a unity. He is a single, whole, complete, indivisible entity. He cannot be divided into parts or described by attributes. Any attempt to ascribe attributes to God is merely man’s imperfect attempt to understand the infinite. 3. God is the only being to whom we should offer praise. The Shema can also be translated as “The Lord is our God, The Lord alone,” meaning that no other is our God, and we should not pray to any other.” (www.jewfaq.org/g-d.htm)
Excerpt from One God – Jesus Confirmed the Shema