Why You Said Nothing | M. Himi

Parashat Va'etchanan · 5786 · Shiur 2

Why You Said Nothing

The power of 516 · six times Elokim · and why God loves the few

A shiur by M. Yéhouda Himi

🕯️ In memory of Rav Ron Chaya zt”lThis shiur is also dedicated to the memory of Rav Ron Chaya zt”l, who devoted his life to spreading Torah, awakening return, and strengthening a true peace — a peace rooted in holiness, responsibility, and truth.May the merit of the tzaddik protect us and all Israel. May his soul be bound in the bond of life. Amen.

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🎙 Full recorded shiur · M. Yéhouda Himi

Va'etchanan — Shiur 2 · The Hidden Rebuke

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Why You Said Nothing

M. Yéhouda Himi · Parashat Va'etchanan · Shiur 2

Yesterday we saw the power of the 516th prayer: 516 = 6 × Elokim (86) — strict judgment sixfold. Where does that judgment appear?

On the first day of Creation, "Elokim" appears six times — the world formed in judgment; then mercy joined it. On Shabbat: "vayechal Elokim" — no more judgment, only mercy.

So too our psalms sweeten the din: the weekday "Lamnatzeach bin'ginot" carries the Name Elokim six times; the Shabbat "HaShamayim mesaprim" carries the Ineffable Name six times — for on Shabbat there is no din.

Then the hidden rebuke: recounting Sinai, Moshe suddenly says "Hashem was angry with me... I will not cross." Why here? When his decree fell, Israel did nothing — no protest, no fast — though a community can annul a decree. "As you forgot me, never forget Him." And why does He love us? Not for our number — we are the fewest — but for our humility, and the merit of Avraham and Yitzchak, the two "ashes."

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1 The Power of 516 — Six Times Elokim

Moshe prayed 515 prayers (Va'etchanan = tefillah = 515). The 516th would have annulled the decree. Why 516?

⭐ Elokim — strict judgment — equals 86. Six times 86 = 516. To sweeten that sixfold judgment, one more prayer was needed — to turn judgment into mercy.

2 Six Times "Elokim" — the World in Judgment

On the first day of Creation the Name Elokim appears six times.

In the beginning God (Elokim) created the heavens and the earth Bereshit 1:1

The world was formed in strict judgment; then mercy joined it — "on the day Hashem Elokim made earth and heaven" (Bereshit 2:4).

3 "Vayechal Elokim" — Shabbat Is Only Mercy

And God finished on the seventh day the work He had made Bereshit 2:2

⭐ "Vayechal" — a term of ceasing, ending: on Shabbat there is no more "Elokim," no more judgment — only mercy (the Ineffable Name = mercy). This is the secret of Shabbat.

4 The Golden Shiviti & the Psalms of Six

On weekdays we say "Lamnatzeach bin'ginot mizmor shir" (Ps. 67) — the Name Elokim six times — to sweeten the judgments; hence the custom of a golden Shiviti/Menorah with it. Its words divide by 42 (Ana BeKoach), and it is said after the counting of the Omer.

The Torah of Hashem... the testimony of Hashem... the precepts of Hashem... the command of Hashem... the fear of Hashem... the judgments of Hashem Tehillim 19

On Shabbat we say "HaShamayim mesaprim kevod El" (Ps. 19) — the Ineffable Name six times — for on Shabbat there is no din. And "Shir LaMaalot" (Ps. 121): the root sh-m-r (guard) six times = the six sefirot — a segula for travel and success in judgment.

5 The Hidden Rebuke — Why You Said Nothing

In the midst of recalling Sinai, Moshe suddenly inserts two verses:

And Hashem was angry with me because of you, and swore that I would not cross the Jordan Devarim 4:21

Why here? It is a rebuke. When the decree fell, all knew Moshe would not enter — yet Israel did nothing. No protest, no petition, no fast — for the man who split the sea, brought the manna, bore Korach, forty years.

⭐ A community can annul a decree: when Shaul condemned Yonatan, the people cried "Never!" and redeemed him (I Shmuel 14:45). "As you forgot me — never forget the covenant of Sinai."

6 Why God Loves the Few

Not because you are more numerous... for you are the fewest of all peoples Devarim 7:7

Not for our number — we are the fewest. He loves us from love and the oath to the Avot. And "hame'at" means those who make themselves small: Avraham "I am dust and ashes," Moshe "what are we," David "I am a worm."

⭐ "Ben yakir li Efraim" — not a name, but efer, ashes, in the plural: two ashes — Avraham ("dust and ashes") and Yitzchak (bound on the altar). In their merit He loves us and will rebuild Jerusalem, above and below. And Avraham is the root: every Shabbat eve he taught Yitzchak, who taught Yaakov, who taught the tribes — the chain unbroken to us today.

🎯 Test Yourself

Five questions. Click on an answer.

Why exactly 516?

Elokim = 86; 6 × 86 = 516. The 516th prayer would have turned judgment into mercy.

Where do we see judgment sixfold?

The world was formed in judgment; then mercy joined it.

What does "vayechal Elokim" hint about Shabbat?

"Vayechal" = ceased; on Shabbat only mercy reigns (the Ineffable Name).

Why does Moshe insert "I will not cross the Jordan" mid-rebuke?

As with Shaul and Yonatan, the people can annul a decree; Israel did not cry out for Moshe.

Why does God love "the few"?

Avraham "dust and ashes," Moshe "what are we," David "a worm"; and the merit of Avraham and Yitzchak.

Result

📅 Seven-Day Programme — Va'etchanan Shiur 2

Sunday

Read Devarim 4:21-24. Find the inserted rebuke — "I will not cross."

Monday

Where did I stay silent when I should have cried out for someone? Act once this week.

Tuesday

Count the six "Elokim" in the first day of Creation.

Wednesday

Say "Lamnatzeach bin'ginot" (Ps. 67) with intent to sweeten judgment.

Thursday

Practice one act of humility — make yourself small, like "dust and ashes."

Friday eve

Before Shabbat — remember: on Shabbat no judgment, only mercy. Enter it with joy.

Shabbat

Shabbat Nachamu. Say "HaShamayim mesaprim" (Ps. 19); recall the two ashes, Avraham and Yitzchak.

🎯 Test Yourself

Result

Shalom Bayit — The Mouth at Home

Gematria — Rav Ménaché

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