Re: Kol Isha

[Hayyim Feldman <hf...>]

I'm kinda glad I was too busy between yontefs to participate in this one.

Just one thing to add, which first requires a little background for those
who are not already familiar. 

----------------------- BACKGROUND ------------------------
In our tradition, the explicit, not-to-be-spoken Name of the Only One is
"YKVK" (in which the 'K's represent 'H's, because it is also not to be
written transiently). 

In a traditional siddur one can find many kavvanos (declarations of intent
preceding a prayer), that include the intention that one is about to say
the prayer in order "to unify the name YK and VK in perfect unity".  

The first "syllable" of the name (YK) is understood to refer to HaShem in
the aspect of being beyond the world, which is traditionally represented
by male terms.  The second syllable (VK), is understood to refer to HaShem
in the aspect of filling every corner of the world and everything in it,
which is traditionally represented in female terms.  

In other words, the YKVK is understood to represent the complete unity
(which we have a role in achieving) of what falsely appears in our
current, alienated world to be two separate parts or principles: the
world and that which is beyond; or male and female. 
-------------------- END OF BACKGROUND --------------------

In the statement "Kol isha b'ervah", as has been discussed, "ervah" refers
to nakedness, or sexual arousal. 

But the holy Baal Shem Tov, who opened the gates of Chassidus for
everyone, drashes this arousal out rather differently.  

   Kol isha b'er 'VAH'

The word "er" (ayin resh) also means arousal.  The "vah" (vav heh) is the
second syllable of the Holy Name, YKVK 

By this reading, "Kol isha b'ervah" means like this:  

"The voice of women arouses the VK of the World to join with YK of the
Beyond in order to reveal the complete and simple unity of YKVK, the
Only One."

May it be so, speedily and in our day.

-Hayyim

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You say I took the name in vain
  but I don't even know the name   
    and if I did well really what's it to ya?

There's a blaze of light in every word
  it doesn't matter which you heard
    the holy or the broken hallelujah.

                 -Leonard Cohen, "Hallelujah" (1985)
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