Thursday, February 16, 2012

The Various Names of Hashem

We all remember looking into the various named used for Hashem in Perek Yud Tet in Sefer Vayikra, of course. We learned the difference between Ani Hashem Elokechem and Ani Hashem, and we concluded that there's a distinct difference in the mitzvot that are categorized under these two names. Ani Hashem is often associated with mitzvot that express morality and goodness - and shows Hashem as the paradigm of good. When Ani Hashem Elokechem is associated with a mitzvah it shows Hashem as divine, and as an authoritative figure. These mitzvot are often religious demands from Hashem.
Right at the start of Bereishit - in Perek Alef - the word Elokim is used to refer to Hashem. This name implies justice. How does this make sense in Perek Alef? Well, Perek Alef is describing Hashem's creation of nature, and we see that Hashem is in control of nature. We see the hierarchy where man is higher than animals, but is still below, or subservient to, Hashem. So, the name Elokim is perfect because there isn't a personal relationship between man and G-d just yet - Elokim shows us that Hashem is the universal G-d of everything created.
In Perek Bet, we have seemingly a repetition of the events from Perek Alef. However, it really gives us a different PERSPECTIVE on these events. The name used in this perek is Hashem Elokim - which seems to be combining two different names. Hashem implies the relationship between man and G-d. In Perek Bet, we see a bigger focus on man's role in the world, but we still have this idea of "Elokim." This further instills this 'hierarchy' - it shows that we have a role (unlike animals) as hinted by Hashem, but G-d is still above man, and we are still subservient to Him - as implied by Elokim.

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