How can I learn to read Hebrew as a beginner?

Aleph2Daven teaches Hebrew reading from scratch. Start with the free 5-day bootcamp to learn all 22 Hebrew letters with audio, then master vowels (nikud) with color-coded drills, and build fluency through spaced repetition practice. No prior Hebrew knowledge needed.

How do I learn to daven (pray in Hebrew)?

Use our interactive siddur with audio for every prayer. Each prayer has transliteration (romanized pronunciation so you can read along even without Hebrew), English translation, and a step-by-step coaching mode that breaks prayers into small pieces. Start with Modeh Ani and work through the daily service at your own pace.

Can I learn to daven if I don't know Hebrew?

Absolutely. Every prayer in Aleph2Daven has transliteration — that's the Hebrew words written out phonetically in English letters so you can read along. You also get audio you can listen to and follow, plus a coaching mode that teaches you one small section at a time. Many users start davening before they've finished learning the Hebrew alphabet.

How do I say Kaddish?

Our Yahrzeit section includes the Mourner's Kaddish (Kaddish Yatom) with multiple audio recordings, transliteration, and English translation. It also explains when Kaddish is said during each synagogue service (Shacharit, Mincha, Maariv), so you know exactly when to stand and recite it.

How do I follow along in synagogue services?

Aleph2Daven includes service roadmaps for weekday and Shabbat davening that show the order of prayers. Each prayer has a 'where we are' indicator so you can follow along. The auto-advance feature plays through each section in order, and transliteration helps you read along even if you're still learning Hebrew.

What blessings (brachot) do I say before food?

Our Jewish Living section covers all food blessings: Hamotzi for bread, Mezonot for grain products (cake, cookies, pasta), Ha'etz for tree fruits, Ha'adama for vegetables and ground-growing foods, and Shehakol for everything else (water, meat, eggs, candy). Each includes the Hebrew text with vowels, transliteration, and audio.

How can I improve my davening?

Aleph2Daven helps you daven better in several ways: the coaching mode teaches the meaning of each section so you understand what you're saying, audio at adjustable speeds helps you practice pronunciation, and the full-view mode lets you see the entire prayer at once to build flow. You can also switch between section-by-section learning and full prayer reading as you improve.

What is the best app to learn Hebrew and Jewish prayer?

Aleph2Daven is a free all-in-one app that covers Hebrew reading (alphabet, vowels, practice drills), Jewish prayer (full siddur with audio, transliteration, coaching), yahrzeit/Kaddish guidance, and Jewish daily living guides (brachot, Shabbat, and more). It's designed specifically for beginners and works on any device.

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← All prayers

שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל

Shema

Morning and evening prayers, and before going to sleep

Open in player — with audio + coaching

Why we say it

The declaration of God's unity — the most fundamental statement of Jewish faith. Jews have said these words for over 3,000 years.

These six words are the heart of Judaism. They're the first words a Jewish child learns, the last words said before death, and every morning and evening in between. When you say Shema, you join a chain going back to Abraham.

Hebrew, transliteration & translation

Part 1 of 8

שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל ה׳ אֱלֹקֵינוּ ה׳ אֶחָד

Shma Yisrael, Adonai Elokeinu, Adonai Echad

Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One

שְׁמַע = Hear/Listen. יִשְׂרָאֵל = Israel (all of us). אֶחָד = One.

Part 2 of 8

בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד

Baruch shem k'vod malchuto l'olam va'ed

Blessed is the Name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever

This line is said quietly (except on Yom Kippur). It's a response to the declaration of God's unity.

Part 3 of 8

וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת ה׳ אֱלֹקֶיךָ

V'ahavta et Adonai Elokecha

And you shall love the Lord your God

וְאָהַבְתָּ = And you shall love. This begins the first paragraph of the Shema.

Part 4 of 8

בְּכָל לְבָבְךָ וּבְכָל נַפְשְׁךָ וּבְכָל מְאֹדֶךָ

B'chol l'vav'cha uv'chol nafsh'cha uv'chol m'odecha

With all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might

לְבָבְךָ = your heart. נַפְשְׁךָ = your soul. מְאֹדֶךָ = your might/resources.

Part 5 of 8

וְהָיוּ הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם עַל לְבָבֶךָ

V'hayu had'varim ha'eileh asher anochi m'tzav'cha hayom al l'vavecha

And these words which I command you today shall be upon your heart

הַדְּבָרִים = the words/things. הַיּוֹם = today (every day feels like the first time).

Part 6 of 8

וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ וְדִבַּרְתָּ בָּם

V'shinantam l'vanecha v'dibarta bam

And you shall teach them to your children, and speak of them

וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם = and you shall teach (sharpen). לְבָנֶיךָ = to your children.

Part 7 of 8

בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ בְּבֵיתֶךָ וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ בַדֶּרֶךְ

B'shiv't'cha b'veitecha uv'lecht'cha vaderech

When you sit in your house, and when you walk on the way

בְּבֵיתֶךָ = in your house. בַדֶּרֶךְ = on the road/way.

Part 8 of 8

וּבְשָׁכְבְּךָ וּבְקוּמֶךָ

Uv'shoch'b'cha uv'kumecha

When you lie down and when you rise up

This is why we say Shema morning and evening — "when you lie down and when you rise up."

Practice with audio →