SECTION 5 Laws Relating to Intent when Reciting the Blessings. (1–3)

סימן ה דִּין כַּוָּנַת הַבְּרָכוֹת, וּבוֹ ג סְעִיפִים:

1 [Whenever the blessings are recited,] one should have in mind the meanings of the words he utters.1 When articulating G‑d’s name2 one should have in mind the meaning of the name as it is pronounced — A-donai, which connotes lordship: He is the L‑rd of all things. In addition, one should have in mind the meaning of the name as it is written — י‑ה‑ו‑ה, which connotes existence: He exists in the past, present, and future [simultaneously].3 When, however, [His] name is [not only pronounced but] also written as א‑ד‑נ‑י (A-donai), one has to have in mind only that He is the L‑rd of all things.

א צָרִיךְ לְכַוֵּן בַּבְּרָכוֹת פֵּרוּשׁ הַמִּלּוֹת שֶׁמּוֹצִיא מִפִּיו א, 1 וּכְשֶׁיַּזְכִּיר הַשֵּׁם2 – יְכַוֵּן פֵּרוּשׁ קְרִיאָתוֹ בְּאָלֶ"ף דָּלֶ"ת – לְשׁוֹן אַדְנוּ"ת, שֶׁהוּא אֲדוֹן הַכֹּל. וִיכַוֵּן עוֹד פֵּרוּשׁ כְּתִיבָתוֹ בְּיוֹ"ד ה"א – לְשׁוֹן הוי"ה, שֶׁהוּא: הָיָה הֹוֶה וְיִהְיֶה.ב, 3 אֲבָל בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁגַּם כְּתִיבָתוֹ הוּא בְּאָלֶ"ף דָּלֶ"ת ג – אֵין צָרִיךְ לְכַוֵּן אֶלָּא שֶׁהוּא אֲדוֹן הַכֹּל.

Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch (Kehot Publication Society)

The new layout – with the original text and the facing translation – provides a unique user-friendly approach to studying the Alter Rebbe’s work. An inclusive commentary provides insightful explanations and guidelines for actual practice.

Buy Now More Info

2 When the name is written as א‑ד‑נ‑י, the alef should be pronounced with a chataf patach, for this is the vowel it is given in Scripture. When, however, [the name] is written as י‑ה‑ו‑ה, there are those who pronounce the alef with a shva, for this is the vowel of [the corresponding initial letter which is] the yud of the name י‑ה‑ו‑ה. Others pronounce the alef with a chataf patach, using the same vowel as the alef of the name A-donai.4

ב בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁכְּתִיבַת הַשֵּׁם הִיא בְּאָלֶ"ף דָּלֶ"ת – קוֹרִין הָאָלֶ"ף בַּ"חֲטַף פַּתָּח",ד כִּי כֵן הוּא נָקוּד בַּמִּקְרָא. אֲבָל בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁכְּתִיבָתוֹ הוּא בְּיוֹ"ד ה"א – יֵשׁ קוֹרִין הָאָלֶ"ף בִּ"שְׁבָ"א",ה כִּנְקֻדַּת הַיּוֹ"ד מִן שֵׁם הוי"ה בָּרוּךְ הוּא, וְיֵשׁ קוֹרִין הָאָלֶף בַּ"חֲטַף פַּתָּח",ו כִּנְקֻדַּת הָאָלֶ"ף בְּשֵׁם אָלֶ"ף דָּלֶ"ת.4

3 When articulating the Divine name Elokim one should have in mind that He is strong and mighty, and that He is omnipotent in both the Heavenly and the terrestrial realms.

ג וּכְשֶׁיַּזְכִּיר שֵׁם אֱלֹקִים ז – יְכַוֵּן שֶׁהוּא תַּקִּיף וְאַמִּיץ, אֲשֶׁר לוֹ הַיְכֹלֶת בָּעֶלְיוֹנִים וּבַתַּחְתּוֹנִים.