“Why Do You Ask My Name?”

Commentators throughout the ages have struggled to understand the meaning of the exchange of Divine Names at the beginning of parshat Vaera, and the significance of God’s choice to use one Name rather than another during the period of the forefathers. Another difficulty pertains to the content of this declaration, since the same message had already been conveyed to Moshe at the burning bush. What new message is God telling him now?

A close examination of the text reveals a deeper understanding of the Divine names, indicating a new concept of the relations between God and His creatures. As Am Yisrael take their first steps as a nation, God takes the opportunity to direct and guide His world in this special relationship.