Finally, I wish to share one last comment from the Baal HaTurim. If you have to speak at a 40th or 50th wedding anniversary – this is a perfect vort.
The Torah provides a draft deferment for the newlywed soldier—”He shall be totally devoted to his house for a complete year” (Devorim 24:5). The Baal HaTurim notes that the last letter of the words in this pasuk (Naki Yiheyeh l’Beiso Shana (Achas)) spells out the ineffable Name of Hashem—Yud, Hay, Vov, Hay. The Torah is hinting here that the purpose of giving newlyweds an initial year of complete dedication to one another is so that the Divine Presence (Shechina) should reside in their midst.
The question is: Why is this allusion contained in the last letter of each word (Sofei Teivos)? Why is it not alluded to in the first letter of each word (Roshei Teivos)? Perhaps this alludes to the following: Yes, in the early years of one’s marriage people get along. Honeymoons are great. At that point, it is rather easy to create an environment of Shalom Bayis, where the Shechina is Shruyah Beineihem (the Divine Presence resides in their midst). The challenge is Sofei Teivos! When people have been married for quite some time—his idiosyncrasies drive her crazy and her idiosyncrasies drive him crazy. The respective parties of the marriage are perhaps not so particular that it should be such a loving relationship anymore.
That is why the pasuk emphasizes that the Shechina’s presence should be perceived in a marriage through Sofei Teivos and not only through Roshei Teivos. For this reason, the name of Hashemis spelled out at the end of the words rather than at the beginning.
