The primary paragraph of the Shema is the first one, as we explained above (21:16-17). When we recite the second paragraph, Ve-haya Im Shamo’a (Deuteronomy 11:13-21), we commit to observe the commandments and remind ourselves of their value. The paragraph also speaks of reward for observing them and punishment for transgressing them. If we connect with God lovingly with all our hearts and observe His commandments, He will bless us: the Land will yield its crops and we will live long lives in the Land God swore to give to our ancestors and us. In contrast, if we deviate from God’s ways, the Land will not yield its crops, and we will be exiled. To sum up, while the first paragraph of the Shema emphasizes how we need to turn to God and marshal all our abilities to serve Him, the second paragraph emphasizes how God responds to us.
The third paragraph, commonly referred to as Va-yomer (its opening word), presents the mitzva of tzitzit (Numbers 15:37-41). This is meant to remind men of the mitzvot and inspire them to avoid the temptations of the evil inclination, as it says, “Look at it and recall all the commandments of the Lord and observe them, so that you do not follow your heart and your eyes, by which you are led astray” (ibid. verse 39). At the end of this paragraph, the Exodus is mentioned. Men are obligated to mention it every day and night. (For the significance of the Exodus and the obligations to mention it and tell the story, see 30:1 and 31:1 below.)
