Va’ethanan 

ואתחנן

In less than perfect circumstances, with the Temple destroyed and Israel exiled among the nations, only the recitation of Shema, by which the Jewish people proclaim the unity of the name of God, justifies the continued existence of the world.

When the Holy One, blessed be He, looks at His world and sees theaters and stadiums existing in security, peace, and tranquility, while His Temple is in ruins, He threatens His world with destruction.<footnote data-num="3"/> Once the Jewish people enter synagogues and study halls in the morning and proclaim the unity of His name and say: “Hear Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4), all the ministering angels gather near the Holy One, blessed be He, and say before Him: You existed before the world was created, You exist since the world was created. You exist in this world and You exist in the World to Come. Sanctify Your name upon those who sanctify Your name. Immediately, the Holy One, blessed be He, is placated and He does not destroy His world, and He calms Himself for the sake of the Jewish people. <source>(Yalkut Shimoni, Va’ethanan 1:835) </source>

In less than perfect circumstances, with the Temple destroyed and Israel exiled among the nations, only the recitation of Shema, by which the Jewish people proclaim the unity of the name of God, justifies the continued existence of the world. 