We continue with our explanation of the first pasuk of Keriat Shema. After we say Shema Yisrael, we go on to the next two words Hashem Elokenu, words which need a lot of explanation. This is one of the parts of prayer, where our kavana/intention is vital. We have to know what we're saying. We have to have it not just in our brains, but in our hearts, when we say it. So what exactly does it mean? The first word, Hashem , is spelled yud , heh , vav and heh . Normally, we don't have that in mind. Normally, we just read it as A-donai. When we look at the word, it's spelled with a yud , heh , vav and heh . We aren’t supposed to say it out loud, but the pronunciation is like the J-word of “J-‘s witnesses,” which we pronounce as A-donai , which means the Boss . But when it comes to Keriat Shema , we're supposed to have in mind, both what's written and how we pronounce it. So first we'll discuss how it's written. The root of the word yud , heh , vav and heh is Mahaveh/ Brings into existence , Kol Havayot/ all existence. That is what God does. God is the Source- We call it Yesh M’eyin/something from nothing. Everything that’s in the world today only exists because God created the matter. It’s not like a carpenter who uses wood to make a table. He did not make the wood. Therefore, if he walks away, the table will remain standing. It has its own independent existence. But nothing in this world has independent existence. God renews, in His goodness, Kol Yom/everyday, Constantly Maaseh Bereshit. We can use what I call the Moonwalk Mashal , which the Torah Center people know very well. There is a type of amusement activity, a bounce house, that children climb into and bounce around in. A machine blows air into it, so the kids can bounce on it. But if the machine stops blowing the air, then everything collapses. Similarly, the world is such a machine, but the mashal doesn't quite capture it, because if the air stops, at least you have the plastic, there is something there. But there's nothing that exists at all without God pumping existence, and therefore nothing can happen without Him. There's nothing that He’s not aware of, because there's nothing here, that He’s not willing to be. Another root of the word is Hayah, Hoveh, V’Yihyeh- Is, was, and will be. He was here before the world and will continue after the world. And currently, He’s the only real existence. We also have to look at the way we pronounce it. A-donai , the root is Adon - He’s the Boss . He has total control. There is a lot to think about it when we say this word, which is why, as Rav Wolbe quotes from the Rambam, it takes years of practice to get the six words of Keriat Shema right. -Before you start the statement, you have to have in mind, “ I'm fulfilling a positive commandment to say Keriat Shema.” -You also have to have in mind, “ I'm accepting upon myself the yoke of God's Kingdom. ” It’s not enough to just say the words. You have to put the yoke on your neck of all that He wants. -You have to understand every word. As we mentioned yesterday, Shema Yisrael means I'm part of the Jewish people , And then come the heavy words, that we just discussed- the word of Hashem spelled Yud Heh Vav and Heh , which we put a lot into: 1-He brought everything to existence. 2- He is , was, and will be. 3- He's the Boss. Today just focused on that word. As we go through these classes each day, we’ll go over a small amount of information, so we can slowly practice. The goal is that when it comes to our Rosh Hashana Musaf prayers, we will be able to juggle all these thoughts together at one time. To recap, today's lesson was understanding the meaning of God's name. The name always captures the essence of the thing. But when it comes to God, we can't capture His essence. It's just a way to refer to Him. This word, Yud, Heh Vav and Heh, which is the classic reference to God, has these three important concepts in it, that are fundamental of our faith. It's not enough to just say these words. We have to believe in our heart that: -There's nothing else, but Him -He is, was, and will be - He is in charge There are six words, but this is the first of the four words of faith. To be continued tomorrow….