The word "Shema" is a Hebrew term that means "hear" or "listen". It is a central prayer in the Jewish tradition that is recited daily as a declaration of faith in One God. While "Shema" is the most commonly used term to refer to this prayer, there are also other synonyms that are used to describe it. Some of these include "Kriat Shema", which means "reading the Shema", and "Shema Yisrael", which refers to the opening phrase of the prayer and translates to "Hear, O Israel". The word "Shema" and its synonyms are powerful reminders for Jewish adherents to listen carefully to God's message and to affirm their faith in Him.