Divine Names: Like Holy Keys

Rabbi Joseph Gikatila; Translated and Adapted By Avi Weinstein

Kabbalah reveals that the entire Torah is dependant upon G-d's Names.

chanoch's Commentary

In my opinion, this is better translated as the entire Torah is all of HaShem's Names. This is from each letter is a Name of HaShem associated with a Sefirah and including all of the attributes that all together make up a portion of HaShem. There is more to HaShem than the Names within the revealed Torah. What do you think it means that the Torah is dependant on the names of HaShem?

Your enthusiasm is far greater than your question…

You, my brother and soul mate, have asked me to show you the pathway to the Names of the Ever-Blessed G‑d so you may derive what you will from them and reach the place that you desire. Even though your enthusiasm is far greater than your question, I still feel compelled to divulge to you the way the light is disseminated and how G‑d wants us to reach it.

When you have learned this, then G‑d will answer when you call. You will be one of those who are truly close to Him and you will love Him with all your heart. Yes, you will delight in G‑d, and He will grant you all that you ask.

chanoch's Commentary

There is a Proverb verse that teaches us to “call to HaShem using His Names and expressing the Name in the correct way which is the path of truth” - previous quote is a paraphrase.

Surely you must be aware - even if you haven't heard - of the Divine Beings in the world of G‑d [Havayah], the G‑d [Havayah] of the universe, for whom the upper and lower worlds tremble and from whose dread the earth shudders. "Before His fury who can stand, who will rise when He is angry?" (Nahum 1:6)

….How could a mortal conceive of using His Holy Names as an axe is used for hewing wood? "Who puts no trust in Holy Ones; [and] the heavens are not guiltless in His sight. What then of one loathsome and foul [as a mortal] man who drinks wrongdoing like water?" (Job 15:15-16)

How could a mortal conceive of using His Holy Names as an axe is used for hewing wood? Who would connive to cast his hand on the crown of the kingdom and then dare to use if profanely? Wasn't it our Sages who said, "Anyone who utters the name of G‑d as rendered by its letters has no portion in the World to Come"?

It was none other than the exalted saint Rabbi Chanina Ben Tradyon who, even though he transgressed this prohibition, did not do so for any profane or facile purpose. He wanted only to glorify Him and learn His blessed ways, yet still he was punished. How much truer it is for us who are so poor and ill-equipped. Look at what G‑d Himself has written in His Torah: "You shall not swear falsely by the name of G‑d, your L-rd." (Deut. 5:11)

chanoch's Commentary

Everyone thinks that the verse quoted and the earlier verse in Exodus is telling us to not swear a statement we make is true using the Name of HaShem. There are 70 explanations for every aspect of Torah. Another meaning to this is to pronounce the Name or Names incorrectly. Always remember there is a right action in a right place in a right time. Saying a Name is an action – say it in the right place – at a right time. The vowels for the Names change as to location and time and thus the correct pronunciation changes and that means the right action varies. This is why our Sages told us not to say the various Names of HaShem.

Moses…learned the secret utterance of G‑d's name from the ministering angels….

Even though the primary prohibition is against making false oaths, the verse also carries a secondary meaning which teaches us not to use His Name in vain. The verse could have taught us the primary prohibition by saying simple, "You shall not swear false oaths in G‑d's name" instead of stating, "You shall not swear falsely by the name of G‑d, your Lord."

Both meanings are implied. Moses, our teacher, peace be with him, learned the secret utterance of G‑d's name from the ministering angels when he went up on high. [Yet he needed to] caution Israel, stating: "For the name of G‑d I proclaim; [….they may only] give glory to G‑d."

If angels on high are admonished not to mention the name of the Blessed G‑d, how much truer for mere mortals, who will some day rot in graves! How much more offensive would it be for one who had been tempted [for his own designs] to use profanely the Crown of their Creator, especially in these days when no one is expert in mentioning the Holy Names and the practical uses of their application!

chanoch adds: Keep in mind that this material was written in the 1300's.

Our Sages…made use of them only during times of oppression and for the sanctification of G‑d's Name….

Such people will bring upon themselves only their own ruin. As our Sages have stated, "Anyone who does not tend to the glorification of his Creator would be better off not having been created. Heed my voice, my son, and lend your ears to my counsel. 'My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield.' (Proverbs 1:10)"

If they say, "Come along, and we will give you the Names and incantations which can be practically employed," do not go along with them, my son. Keep your feet from following their path, for those Names and their application are really a trawl for catching souls that will only be led to ruin. Our Sages truly did possess the Holy Names as received from the Prophets, like the Seventy-Two Letter Name, the Forty-Two Letter Name and the Twelve Letter Name, as well as the many other sacred names. They could have produced signs and wonders, yet they made use of them only during times of oppression and for the sanctification of G‑d's Name.

chanoch's Commentary

Students of Kabbalah normally know or think they know the 72 letter Name and the 42 Letter Name yet usually do not realize the 12 letter Name is the combination of Ehyeh – Havayah – with Adonai. Or is this only one 12 letter Name and there are others.

Those who want their needs fulfilled by employing the Holy Names should try with all their strength to comprehend the meaning of each Name of G‑d…. Rabbi Meir, for example, saved his sister-in-law from being confined to a brothel by telling the gentile guard, ["If you help me then] every time you find yourself in trouble say, 'The G‑d of Rabbi Meir answer me,' and you will be saved". Even though he had given this formula to the gentile [to save his sister-in-law, when Rabbi Meir himself was in need he refrained from uttering the Holy Name and opted to run away instead. Thus we have it recounted in the first chapter of Talmud, Avoda Zara].

Similarly, the story of Honi HaMa'agel, or the matter of Rava and King Sabor as told in tractate Taanit, or in the case of David when he dug the foundations of the Temple and the deep waters rose and threatened to flood the world, as it is recorded in tractate Sanhedrin. (Talmud Yerushalmi 38a)

It is within the parameters of our historical covenant, however, that those who want their needs fulfilled by employing the Holy Names should try with all their strength to comprehend the meaning of each Name of G‑d as they are recorded in the Torah, names such as Eh-yeh, Y-ah, Havayah, Ado-nai, E-l, Elo-ah, Elokim, Sha-dai, Tze-vaot.

One should be aware that all the names mentioned in the Torah are the keys for anything a person needs in the world. When one contemplates these Names one will understand that all of the Torah and the Commandments are dependent upon them.

Then when he knows the purpose of every Name, he will realize the greatness of "He who spoke and thus the world came into being". He will be fearful before Him and he will yearn to cleave to Him through His Blessed Names. Then he will be close to G‑d and his petitions will be accepted, as it is written:

"I will keep him safe, for he knows My Name. When he calls on Me I will answer him."

chanoch adds: As long as the Name is called in truth.

Here is a Name that many people are not aware. It is a prayer for "Receiving Divine Guidance" from the Torah.

This prayer is composed by HaRav Ariel Bar Tzadok. Copyright (C) 2010 by Ariel Bar Tzadok. All rights reserved.

As will be seen below we have permission to show this prayer

This prayer can be recited at any time, in any number of repetitions. The more repetitions the better. It is good the recite it on the night of Shavuot when we celebrate the Giving of the Torah. It can be recited at other times as well. This prayer is an original formulation in English and I give my blessings and permission for it to be translated for personal use into any language of one's choosing.

"Ribbono Shel Olam, Master of the Universe, Creator of All, I give thanks before You that I am Your creation, formed in Your Image and guided by Your Hand. May it be Your Will to open both my heart and my eyes and enable me to perceive Your Paths and how it is that You want me to live, to best receive Your blessings and to best shine Your Holy Light. May it be Your Will that You enlighten me and align me with the Image of Your Holy Sefirot within me.

Teach me what I need to learn, show me what I need to see, help me to accomplish all the goals that You have ordained for me to fulfill in this lifetime.

Master of the Universe, behold, You are the Source of all. All is in You and You are in all. Enlighten me so that I may see and experience Your Unity, enable me to live in harmony with Your Unity and to be guided by it and to flow within it at every moment and in every place.

May I be a clear and receptive vehicle for reflecting Your Divine Purpose. May Your Holy Light shine through me in everything that I think, speak, feel and do. Move through me and enable me to experience Your Holy Presence within me.

Ribbono Shel Olam, You created Your universe by the energies contained within vibrating sound. You "spoke" and what You "spoke" came to be. May it be Your Will that I serve as the receptacle for Your Divine Light and that by my reciting your Holy Names, may I reflect Your Divine Light here upon Earth. May Your Light shine and go forth to wherever it is needed and to wherever You desire.

Ribbono Shel Olam I thank you for revealing to us Your Sacred Word and your special treasure of understanding that enables us mere mortals to make use of Your Sacred Heavenly knowledge and power.

I call upon Your Sacred Name that is concealed in the words of blessings that you passed on to your servant Aharon, brother of Moshe, through which You commanded him to bless the children of Israel in Your Name. As it is written:

Verse 1 - 3 words - 15 letters

יברכך יהוה וישמרך

"May HaShem bless you and protect you.

Verse 2 - 5 words - 20 letters

יאר יהוה פניו אליך ויחנך

May HaShem raise His Face upon you and be gracious to you.

Verse 3 - 7 words - 25 letters

ישא יהוה פניו אליך וישם לך שלום

May HaShem place His Face upon you be give you shalom."

May this Holy Name shine Your Holy Light here on earth and bring to us all peace. Behold I call upon:

יהו ביה ראפ כשנ כיי

KaYoYo KaShiNu RayAhPay BayYoHai YoHaiWah

יכו הנא וחל היי ווכ

WahWahKah HaiYoYo WahChayLah HaiNuAh YoKahWah

יכו שיי מלש ראמ כול

KahWahLah RayAhMah MahLahShi ShiYahYah YoKahWah

ייכ אנש רפל יהו הומ

HaiWahMah YoHaiWah RayPayLah AhNuShi YoYoKah

Shine forth the Light of G-d, shower upon us the blessings of Heavens, enlighten our eyes to know Supernal Knowledge, enable us to walk Your Paths and to do Your Will. Amen Amen Amen, may it be so forever and ever more, Amen."

chanoch's Commentary

This Name is concealed in the 60 letters and 15 words of the Blessings of the Cohenim.

The first letter of these three verses is one of the 72 Names of God and the Names from the Tzadikim. This Name is No 22 and No 2. This Name is a protection shield against the negative system as well as a tool to enhance our teaching and being taught.

Today these 3 verses are used often by Rabbis of the Reform and Conservative Movement and also by parents when Blessing their children.

Verse 1

The first letters of the three words have a gematria of 26 which is the gematria of HaShem's 4 Letter Name.

The final letters of the three words have a gematria of 45 which is the gematria of the spelled out Name connected to Zeir Anpin.

Verse 2

The gematria of the first word YaAir is 211 which is the same gematria of the spelled out Name of HaShem used in the Mezuzah scroll - Cuzu.

The last word of the verse - Vechunecha - has the gematria of 94 which is also the gematria of one of the 72 Names of God and the 72 Name from the Tzadikim - Name No. 36 - Mem Nun Dalet. This Name is a vaccine against "Fear".

Verse 3

The last word in the Verse is Shalom which translates as Peace. When permutated this word becomes "complete the male".

In time there will be more analysis that will enhance our relationship to the attributes of this Name.

additional Commentary by chanoch

It is my intention to add to these Names mentioned above as well as to reveal what i am allowed to reveal about each and every Name. There will be other classes in due time. This class is originally revealed on this website on July 10th 2016.