Why do we say Boruch Shem Kevod Malchuso L'Olam Voed in Kriyas Shema in a whisper?
asked Nov 18, 2010 at 19:03
-
1...and why do we shout it on Yom Kippur?– jutkyCommented Nov 18, 2010 at 21:26
-
We say it out loud on Yom Kippur since we are compared to Angels on that day. The question is if so we should skip it the rest of the year and only say it on Yom Kippur. Why say it and say it quitely?– Gershon GoldCommented Nov 18, 2010 at 22:06
-
Is there a source for "shouting" it?– YDKCommented Nov 19, 2010 at 6:15
-
I don't know, why do you whisper it? What is the difference, since you are allowed to whisper all of k'rias shema?– Adam MoshehCommented Feb 9, 2012 at 1:57
-
@jutky judaism.stackexchange.com/q/30847– msh210 ♦Commented Sep 1, 2013 at 4:44
|
Show 1 more comment
5 Answers
- This was a declaration of loyalty by the Shevatim on Yaakov's deathbed, so it's a worthwhile prayer. But since it's not a verse found in the Torah, we say it quietly (Pesachim 56a)
- This was a prayer of the angels so it's not appropriate for sinful mortals to say it aloud, except for on Yom Kippur
From the Artscroll Yom Kippur Machzor, pp.69-70
-
1Maharsha explains that Moshe was merely teaching the pasuk and there was no requirement to say BSKML"V. Yaakov's children were making a proclamation and there was a requirement. Out of respect to Moshe, we don't say it out loud.– YDKCommented Nov 19, 2010 at 6:08
-
1The Aruch haShulchan has a different approach: Rashi explains Shema that our G-d will, in the future, be the One G-d- accepted by all! It is reference to this future that we say BSKML"V, during a time when Hashem's honor is apparent. Moshe was not able to say it because of the Egel and other sins. Yaakovs children were tzadikim and able to say it. On Yom Kippur, we are like melachim and only do honor to Hashem's name and therefore say it like bnai yaakov.– YDKCommented Nov 19, 2010 at 6:14
-
Its a high expression of praise that the angels say. Humans may say it too, but only whisper it. It would be too brazen to say out loud normally. The exception is Yaakov on his deathbed, or a Jew on Yo"k, when we are at a level where it can be said out loud.– Ariel KCommented Aug 12, 2011 at 22:08
In the Torah, the verse of Shema is followed immediately by the verse of Ve'ahavtah (Devarim 6:4-5). So in a way, BSKML"V might be a hefsek. The Tzlach says that the Gemara is telling us that by whispering it, we are not making a break between Shema and Ve'ahavtah. (see page 13 of this document for this and other explanations).
[The Tzlach does not address why we say BSKML"V out loud on Yom Kippur. He does discuss a custom certain people had to do so on Yom Kippur Katan. It seems that he originally defended the practice by saying that it was not an interruption in the words of Moshe (since it is after only one verse), but later on saw that the Maharsha explicitly said that it was an interruption.]
Another answer is given in the Midrash (Devarim Raba 2:25). The Midrash tells us that Moshe "stole" this prayer from the angels, and therefore we whisper it, to "hide it" from the angels. See here. This would explain why we say it aloud on Yom Kippur, since on Yom Kippur we are compared to angels, see here and here.
The Maharal in Nesiv HaAvoda says that baruch shem kevod is an expression of pure spirituality. Therefore to say it would be inappropriate because we are physical, having a body. To not say it would be painful to the spiritual side of us, the soul. Therefore, we whisper it.
Yaakov, who was talking for himself and was completely holy, was able to say it. Moshe, who was speaking on behalf of all of Klal Yisrael, who were not all on this level, did not say it.
On Yom Kippur when we shed our physical needs, even our body is uplifted to the point where it is appropriate to be expressed.
When reciting Krias Shema without a Minyan, Rav Chaim Solveitzik Zatzal of Brisk used to say "Baruch Shem" out loud, as he was of the opinion that the problem of saying it out loud was only when it is recited with a Minyan.
He obviously maintained the other reason, that the heavenly angels will be jealous of us saying such an exalted praise, and not the reason of the Mishna Berura 61:30 on Yaakov Avinu and the Shevatim. See Shu"t Teshuvos V'Hanhagos from Rav Moshe Sternbuch Shlita Vol. 2 Siman 46
-
1What problem did he see with saying it aloud when with a minyan?– Isaac Moses ♦Commented Jul 11, 2011 at 16:06
The Netivot has a novel interpretation in Nachalat Yaakov Al HaTorah, Bereishit 49:1.
In summary, when the Shevatim said Baruch Shem to affirm their belief in Hashem, they could confidently state that they were totally comitted to Hashem, as they had no Mitzvot other Emunah. We, after Mattan Torah, have plenty of Mitzvot, so stating out Emunah is not sufficient to bargain with Hashem for mercy. On Yom Kippur, we say it out loud as a means of saying, regardless of our lack of satisfactory observance of Mitzot, Hashem, please have mercy on us.
