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TMany commentators find this verse difficult, for Hashem spoke to the
Patriarchs on many occasions using His four letter name, (Yud-kay-vav-kay).
Further, why is it significant that Hashem mentions only two of His names to
the Patriarchs, witholding the four letter name of Hashem, which he only later
reveals fully to Moshe? We know that Moshe will refer to Hashem as an "Ish
Milchamah," a "man of war," later in the Book of Exodus in Parshas Shirah.
Thus, two additional questions arise: 1) why is Hashem referred to as a man at
all and 2) why is he called a "man of war?"
Hashem battles on Israel's behalf against oppressive nations by performing
spectacular miracles such as those witnessed when he redeemed us from
Mitzrayim. Hashem invokes His three names -- a) Kayl, b) Shakai and c)
Adoshem to rescue Israel; each name has its own purpose.
The first name Kayl indicates the grace of Hashem. There are antagonistic
forces that make Hashem recall Israel's sins. They attempt to convince Hashem
that Israel does not deserve to be redeemed. His compassion for Israel
combats these forces that persecute Israel. There is a verse in Zohar which
states, "V'kayl Zoyam kal Yom," "And Hashem expresses His rage every day."
This verse teaches that even this benevolent aspect of Hashem can appear in
fury; when Hashem vents his wrath on the nations that persecute Israel, He is
indeed exhibiting His grace.
The second name of Hashem, Shakai, indicates the attribute of Hashem which
plunders the battlefield to smite the heavenly minister of Israel's enemy.
With their
spiritual protector fallen, they have even less chance of defeating Israel.
The third name of Hashem, Adoshem, alludes to the Almighty who destroys
Israel's earthly enemies. All miracles must ultimately manifest through this
third name of Hashem, (YKVK), based on its gematria. This name of Hashem when
spelled out as follows: (Yud, vuv, dalet; hey, alef; vav, vav; hey, alef) plus
one for the name of Hashem itself equals the gematria of 45. Add to this the
name of Hashem as it is pronounced (Alef, dalet, nun, yud) which equals 65
yields the sum total of 110. This is the gematria of the word nes, miracle.
Therefore, the verse in Exodus 17:15 "VaYikra shmo Adoshem nisi" (And Moshe
called the altar) Hashem is my miracle" supports the notion that the name of
Hashem itself is a miracle.
All three names of Hashem are necessary to bring Israel to victory and all
indicate Hashem fighting Israel's battles. The first letters in all three of
the manifestations of Hashem's name Kayl (alef), Adoshem (yud), Shakai (Shin)
spell the word "Ish." This explains why Hashem is called a man. Furthermore,
in the Book of Ecclesiastes, it says that there is a "time for war and a time
for peace." The gematria of the name of Hashem, Kayl and Shakai equals 345
and when a digit for each of the letters are added it equals 350. This spells
the Hebrew word Shayn, tooth, which may allude to fierceness. When 350 is
added to the gematria of YKVK (26) it equals 376 creating the word Shalom,
peace, which also equals 376 in gematria. When there is war below (Shayn),
there is peace above (Shalom).
Rav Matz, z"l in the name of HaRav Hashach, states that usually Hashem
performs His miracles publicly for all to see, this being the "Aspaklariah
HaMeirah," an example of which was the miracle of taking the Jews from
Mitzrayim. However, when Hashem rendered miracles unto the Patriarchs, his
miracles were concealed, the "Aspaklariah sheayno Meirah." This explains why
only two names rather than three were shown to the Patriarchs. Whereas Moshe,
who experienced a more complete experience of Hashem when he witnessed
miracles, merited all three names of Hashem being outwardly revealed to him.
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