Rabbi Roodyn

The author of this psalm wrote this chapter in order to counter their claims one by one, as we will see as we go through this psalm. This is a basic principle in the Torah. Through this we will see Divine providence that related to human beings, and only through this will we be able to counter the claims of those who say that Hashem abandoned the world and that He just dwells in Heaven, as claimed by some idol worshippers.

ב) ה’ אֲדֹנֵינוּ מָה אַדִּיר שִׁמְךָ בְּכָל הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר תְּנָה הוֹדְךָ עַל הַשָּׁמָיִם:

Hashem, our Master, how mighty is Your name in all the earth, for which You should bestow Your majesty upon the heavens.

The first point is that the name Hashem, which is the wisdom and ability through which Hashem is revealed through this world, through all the things that He created for that purpose. For this he is referred to by the 4 letter name of Hashem. Hashem’s essence is something that we mortal beings cannot possibly grasp. Most of us would not be able to multiply 23453765.26537 X 849876736.87484 in our heads (and possibly on paper too!), it doesn’t take long for us to reach the limit of what we are capable of comprehending.  That is why it is referred to simply as אין סוף (something with no end) or simply אין as in מאין יבוא עזרי.

Hashem’s 4 letter name י-ה-ו-ה therefore does not refer to His incomprehensible Infinite Essence. Rather it refers to Him in terms of His interaction with the universe. It is the wisdom and the ability that was revealed through the reality that He created. That is the meaning of the words ‘how mighty is Your name in all the earth’. This means that the main way that we can get to know Hashem (as it were) through His creations is on earth. Hashem’s Divine Light shines on all of existence and that is where His strength is concealed (see Chavakuk 3:4). The Heavens only receive a reflection of this Divine light, just like the moon is a reflection of the sun’s light.

Whilst this may seem highly esoteric, there is an important message here for us. This world was designed as an arena  for Hashem’s glory to be revealed through our actions and choices. Heaven is a mere reflection of what we are able to accomplish in this world. Our challenge is to become sensitive to this reality and to act accordingly.

Wishing you a good Shabbos