There's a statement in Mishlei (18:10) as follows: 'ה ם≈ׁ ̆ זֹע לַּ„¿‚ƒמ – the name of Hashem is a tower of strength, בָּ‚¿ׂ ̆ƒנ¿ו ̃יƒּ„ַˆ ıּרוָי ֹוּב – and into that tower of the name of Hashem the righteous will run and find protection.
Now we have to understand this verse a little more fundamentally than we would at first sight because we note that it doesn't say that ‘Hashem is a tower of strength’. That's what it should say: 'לַּ„¿‚ƒמ ה זֹע. No; it says 'ה ם≈ׁ ̆ זֹע לַּ„¿‚ƒמ – the name of Hashem is the tower. It’s the name of Hashem that is described as a fortress in which we find shelter.
Just to back that up with another verse: ה∆ּל≈‡ ב∆כ∆רָב – These come with their chariots, יםƒסּוּסַב ה∆ּל≈‡¿ו – and these come with their horses, ּנו¿חַנֲ‡ַו – and what do we come with? ירƒּכ¿זַנּינו≈ ֹ̃ל¡‡ 'ה ם≈ׁ ̆¿ּב – with the name of Hashem that we mention (Tehillim 20:8). We proclaim, we make known, the name of Hashem; that’s our army, our fortress. And again we note that it doesn’t say Hashem is our power but the name of Hashem.
Forever With Him
Now that's worth studying because if you’ll look through the kisvei hakodesh, you're going to discover that the name of Hashem is a recurrent theme. Again and again it mentions the name of Hashem; sheim Hashem, sheim Hashem. And so it’s worth understanding what it’s all about.
And that brings us to the subject of tonight. Hashem’s name is not an abstract concept, something to do only with letters and mystical ideas. It’s much more than that; it’s a way of life. By understanding His name, by thinking into it, that becomes a fortress for you. And the more you put into it, the more it goes into your bones and you become eternalized; you become one with Hashem. That’s what it means ‘the name of Hashem is a tower of strength’, ֹוּב – and into that name, ıּרוָי ̃יƒּ„ַˆ – the one who seeks righteousness should run, בָּ‚¿ׂ ̆ƒנ¿ו – and he’ll remain protected forever because he’ll live forever in that name.
