fresh ink

for the longest time i've wanted to get a tattoo on my forearm.

something personal.
special.
simple.

a friend suggested getting a band.
i just thought it would look like a black rubber band on my arm.
so i said No.

then i thought how about something different.
scripture from the bible...
but what?

anyway i was going to Israel so maybe i'd find something there.

as i was falling in love with Israel,
i was also falling in love with God's people.
and their worship for God.

Shema Yisrael (or Sh'ma Yisrael or just Shema) (Hebrew: שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל‎; "Hear, [O] Israel") are the first two words of a section of the Torah (Hebrew Bible) that is a centerpiece of the morning and evening Jewish prayer services.

it continues in Deuteronomy Chapter 6;
'' ⁴ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
⁵ Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.
⁷ Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home and
when you walk along the road,
when you lie down and when you get up.
⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ''


today, Jewish men still bind their arm and forehead with Tefillin during worship.
i wanted to bring home a bit of a Israel. and i did.

''Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Eḥad"