Wednesday, May 24, 2017

halacha - 'Kavannah' of Shem Havayeh in the first line of Kriat Shma


The requirement when saying the name 'Havayeh' to have in mind both the meaning of 'adon ha-kol' and 'hayah hoveh ve-yihyhe' takes me some time: longer than almost anybody I see in shul taking to pronounce the words, including people who are careful about mitzvot. So, is this really halakhically required to fulfill the mitzvah? Or is it something other than a requirement? Also, am I approaching it the wrong way--I mean is it something other than mentally pronouncing those definitions at the points where one mentions the name?


Sources: שולחן ערוך אורח חיים ה



כשיזכיר השם, יכוין פירוש קריאתו באדנות שהוא אדון הכל, ויכוין בכתיבתו ביו"ד ה"א שהיה והוה ויהיה


ובביאור הגר"א כתב דלפי עומק הדין א"צ לכוין אלא פי' קריאתו דבכל מקום הולכין אחר הקריאה אף שיש בהכתיבה סודות גדולות לבד בקריאת שמע שם 'צריך לכוין ג"כ שהיה וכו


Also, I've seen quoted than one should minimally have in mind Rashi's pshat on the posuk. Again: is that an absolute requirement? Many other understandings of the verse have been offerred: could one think about another understanding and fulfill the requirement of kavvannah?




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