Have you ever wondered

Have you ever wondered about the true meaning to the prayer of Shema?
("Hear O' Israel, G-d is our L-rd, G-d is One")

The history behind this prayer is actually connected to our Torah portion even though it's not mentioned until much later in the Torah. (determined 6:4)

Jacob called for his sons, and he said "Gather around and I will tell you what will happen to you in the end of days." (49:1)

Jacob wished to reveal to his children the date and time and all the details of when the Messiah will come including the whole process of its arrival. However G-d had other plans, and didn't allow Jacob to do so.
Jacob saw that his children were so virtuous unlike Abraham and Isaac who had at lease one son who wasn't. Jacob saw it a blessing to have every single one of his children virtuous!
Because of this he wished to give them a give: the revelation of the Messiah, even though it would be a very long time afterwards, but he wanted them to get merit for everyday that they wait, and believe, and hope for its coming. Hence gaining an enormous amount of Merit! However G-d did not agree, for this will lead to many people saying, "aw, let me do this sin, or assimilate myself to the nations, for there's a whole long while until Messiah comes. Right before the Messiah will arrive and that's when I'll repent"


However if the date of Messiah stays a mystery to us, we will hope for it any day, any time, hence giving us a much greater merit for every second that we wait and pray. It even gives greater Merit to those who died before seeing the Messiah, for it says, "one who saw the Messiah, its as though the Temple has been destructed in his day." However through the merit of believing, praying, and hoping for the coming of Messiah does one override the above mentioned.

Seeing that G-d took away the divine providence from him, Jacob became frightened. He wandered why? He then asked his sons if they still fully believed in G-d. They replied with "Shemah." When Jacob replied "Baruch Shem" he then understood G-ds intent.

Sources from Ma'am Loez, Yalkut Chadash, Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer:52, Talmud:Bava Basra:16B:Tosefos,and Kesef Nivchar.
©Yermi Kurkus - Have you ever Wondered