Shemeh Rabba

This morning I received an email with a fascinating devar Torah on the parsha by Rabbi Eli Mansour and thought I'd share it with you.

The Hachamim were very particular in the way they scheduled the weekly Torah readings, ensuring that each week’s reading would be relevant to that season. There is always some connection – either obvious or subtle – between the weekly Parasha and the time of year when it is read.

Each and every year, we begin the Book of Devarim on the Shabbat before Tisha B’Ab, during the period of mourning for the destruction of the Bet Ha’mikdash. Undoubtedly, some connection exists between this transition from Bamdibar to Debarim, and the period of mourning for the Temple.

Our Sages teach us that while we are in exile, the Name of G-d is not complete. The final verse of Tehillim states, “Kol Ha’neshama Tehalel Y-H” (literally, “Every soul shall praise G-d”). The word “Neshama” is related to the word “Shama,” which means “desolate,” and it thus alludes to our period of exile, when the Mikdash lay in ruins. The verse tells us that during this period of “Neshama,” of destruction and desolation, “Tehalel Y-H” – we can only praise “Y-H,” the first two letters of the divine Name of “Y-H-V-H.” In the times of Mashiah, the final two letters – “Vav” and “Heh” – will be added to the “Yod” and “Heh” to complete the divine Name. This is what we pray for in the Kaddish prayer, when we say, “Yeheh Shemeh Rabba.” The word “Shemeh” means “Shem Y-H,” and we pray that this Name shall be made “Rabba” – great, or complete, with the arrival of our final redemption.
Continue reading: http://www.dailyhalacha.com/WeeklyParasha.asp