Parshas Behar-Bechukosai 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- May 22
- 2 min read
לכן הנני מודיעם ... את ידי ואת גבורתי וידעו כי שמי ה' ... (ירמי' טז-כא)
Yirmiyahu HaNavi relays Hashem’s declaration, “I shall teach them My power and My might, and they shall learn that My name is Hashem!” Chazal explain that the reason for this is in order to rectify Hashem’s glory in the eyes of the nations - for when Hashem takes vengeance against sinners, His glory is aggrandized. But why does it matter to the Almighty if the world knows His Name? Surely, Hashem has more important things to be concerned about than with every lowly mortal on earth knowing His Name.
The Maharal M’Prague, R’ Yehudah Loew zt”l explains that historically any time Hashem executed judgment against the wicked, i.e. the Canaanites, Egyptians, Babylonians, etc., the world was awakened to the awesome might and power of Hashem. This caused a tremendous Kiddush Hashem because the nations of the world suddenly learned to revere and fear the Almighty. In fact, there is no differentiation between unintentional and intentional sins when it comes to desecrating Hashem’s Name because a name is the greatest revelation of a person’s essence and by extension, Hashem as well. True Torah Jews know that Hashem is always present.
The feeling of knowing that Hashem is watching our every move keeps us in check. The gentiles do not have that feeling. They think they can do whatever they please. Thus, publicizing Hashem’s Name not only reveals aspects of Hashem’s essence, but it also creates a tangible entity for the nations to respect and fear, further adding to the glorification of Hashem’s Name.