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PARASHAT VA’ERA: From Promise to Fulfillment — The Revelation of Hashem

  • The name Hashem, comprised of the four Hebrew letters Yud-Heh-Vav-Heh—expresses God’s timeless essence: He was, He is, and He will be. It is considered the holiest of Divine names, representing both God's immanence and transcendence. Jewish tradition reveres this name deeply, never pronouncing it as written, instead saying Adonai or Hashem.
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PARASHAT VA’ERA: From Promise to Fulfillment — The Revelation of Hashem

Richman, Rabbi Chaim
January 15, 2026
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In Parashat Va’era, we witness a pivotal shift in God’s relationship with humanity as the Torah reveals a deeper understanding of the Divine through the name Hashem. Moving from the concealed providence of El Shaddai to the transcendent revelation of Hashem, this teaching explores the significance of God’s names, the transition from faith to knowledge, and how the Exodus represents a new phase of open Divine intervention in history. This profound shift opens the door to a greater awareness of God’s presence in both the natural and supernatural realms.

The Transition from El Shaddai to Hashem

Parashat Va’era opens with God responding to Moshe’s anguished question about Israel’s suffering. God introduces a new dimension of His identity, declaring that while He appeared to the Patriarchs as El Shaddai—the God who sets limits and sustains creation within nature’s bounds, He had not revealed Himself to them fully as Hashem, the four-letter Divine name that signifies His eternal, transcendent nature. El Shaddai represents hidden providence and unfulfilled promises; Hashem introduces a phase of direct, unmistakable involvement in history.

Faith Becomes Knowledge

The Avot (Patriarchs) lived with unshakable faith in a God who promised redemption but remained hidden. They saw miracles that were veiled within nature. In contrast, the generation of the Exodus would witness overt Divine intervention: the plagues, the splitting of the sea, and the giving of the Torah. This transition from faith to knowledge is marked by God’s declaration: “You shall know that I am Hashem.” Through these wonders, God’s sovereignty over nature and history would become undeniable.

The Name Hashem: Existence Itself

The name Hashem, comprised of the four Hebrew letters Yud-Heh-Vav-Heh—expresses God’s timeless essence: He was, He is, and He will be. It is considered the holiest of Divine names, representing both God’s immanence and transcendence. Jewish tradition reveres this name deeply, never pronouncing it as written, instead saying Adonai or Hashem. The name also implies Havayah, existence, signifying that God is not only the Creator but also the very essence and ongoing sustainer of all reality. Nothing exists apart from Him; all things are manifestations of His will.

Living in Divine Reality

Recognizing Hashem as both Creator and constant Sustainer reframes how we see reality. Every event, every detail of existence—even hardship—is part of a unified Divine plan. By aligning ourselves with this truth, we are called to see holiness in every aspect of life. The teaching urges us to internalize this awareness, cultivating unity, purpose, and faith in God’s ongoing presence and Redemption.

NOTE: The above is a summary based on the original teaching.