Emet Vayatziv (אמת ויציב, true and certain) is the blessing that is recited after the Shema during Shacharit. It is a recognition of God's kingship and God as the One and only, and thankfulness to God for the exodus from Egypt, the slaying of the firstborn, the splitting of the sea, and the redemption of Israel from exile[1][2].
The word אמת (emet) is the beginning of the first paragraph. But it is appended to the end of the Shema. This is because of an ancient law that prohibits the interruption between the Shema and this blessing, and when added to the final two words of Shema, it states the God is true.[3] It is mentioned that the word Emet should be appended to the Shema in Mishnah Tamid 5:1[4]. The concept of truth occurs throughout this entire blessing. Orchos Chaim for this reason views the blessing as a review of the Shema[5].
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The structure that appears in most siddurim is as follows:
The obligation to recite Emet Vayatziv appears in Brachos 12a. Here, it is stated that whoever does not recite this paragraph has not fulfilled one's obligation "To proclaim your kindness in the morning, and your faithfulness at night," Verse 3 from Psalm 92[2], and therefore his obligation to recite Shema[3].
While it is questionable whether women are required or even allowed to recite the blessings accompanying the Shema, may authorities hold that women are obligated to recite Emet Vayatziv, since doing so fulfills the mitzvah of remembering the exodus from Egypt, which is not a time-bound commandment[6].