Parashat Va'etchanan

This post is at least 8 days late, but since it deals with the Shema which we say every day, I thought it relevant still.

Parashat Va'etchanan has in it the first paragraph of the Shema, which has a very clear structure:  The movement from inner to outer.

How does this work?  Look at the progression:
1. It starts with the principle of God's absolute unity, as well as the fact of our relationship with God:   Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu, Hashem Echad.  God is our God.  God is one.

2. This reality (or internalization of it) leads to internal love of God:  v'ahavta . . .al levavecha.  (you shall love God. . . place these words on your heart.)

3. Love expands from the heart into how we speak-- "v'shinantam levanecha v'dibarta bam. . ."  (you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them)-- love of God manifests itself in holy words, in words of Torah.

4. It moves from speech outward, to action, represented by the mitzvah of tefillin: ukshartam l'ot al yadecha. . . and you shall tie them as a sign upon your hand. . . 

5. Action expands even further to change our environment, as represented by the mezuzah:  u'chtavtam al mezuzot beitecha. . . and you shall write them on the doorposts of your house. . .

I will leave as an open question whether this progression from inner to outer is descriptive or prescriptive.  That is, does it describe what happens, that belief in God's unity will lead to love of God, which will lead to holy speech, etc. ,   or does it prescribe for us what we should do-- we should make sure to focus on God's unity to develop love, and push that love outward from speech, to action, to affect the world around us?