Shem M"ah
Shem M"ah is the third among the four fillings of the name Havaya: Shem A"v, Shem Sa"g, Shem M"ah, Shem Ba"n. This name is formed from the name Havaya with the filling of Alphin, like this: Yud-Hei Hei-Alef Vav-Alef-Vav Hei-Alef.
In the Worlds[edit | edit source]
The divine influence from Shem M"ah functions as a revelation of light, where the created being feels its source, and therefore it is always in a state of "ratzo" (running) and withdrawal to be included within it (unlike Shem Ba"n where the influence is in a manner of distance from the source). This is the reason that beings formed from Shem M"ah are more elevated, feeling and desiring to be included in their source.
Therefore, this name belongs to the world of Atzilut. This name is called "Adam" (man), in relation to Shem Ba"n which resides in the worlds of Biya and is called "Behemah" (animal).
And specifically, it relates to the lights in the Sefirot (as opposed to the vessels which are from Shem Ba"n); to the Sefirah of Chochmah (in contrast to the Sefirah of Binah which is from Shem Ba"n); to the six emotional attributes of Atzilut, Ze'ir Anpin (as opposed to the Nukva, the Sefirah of Malchut, which is from Shem Ba"n).
Shem M"ah is also from the term "mah" meaning "what" and nullification (as in the verse "v'nachnu mah" - "and what are we"), meaning that it is in a state of complete nullification and therefore no external forces can derive nourishment from it (unlike Shem Ba"n, from which external forces can potentially derive nourishment).
Its Root[edit | edit source]
The root of Shem M"ah is in the illumination that emerges from the forehead of Adam Kadmon, and its parallel in man - the light that appears on the face of a person who is joyful from a matter of wisdom, "the wisdom of man illuminates his face." However, this illumination is a revelation that comes from the forehead, and the forehead conceals the root of the illumination, so that the essence does not shine but only a revelation from it.
In the future, there will be a revelation of the "Essential Shem M"ah," meaning, not the illumination as it emerges from the forehead of Adam Kadmon, but as it is in its root and source within the forehead.
In Divine Service[edit | edit source]
The essence of Shem M"ah is complete nullification to the Holy One, blessed be He - nullification of existence, nullification in essence (unlike Shem Ba"n which is only nullification of self).
Shem M"ah belongs to the service of the tzaddikim, who draw down divine light in revelation, and there is no place for evil in their realm. Therefore, the role of Moshiach who will bring about "l'atava tzadikaya b'tiyuvta" [to return the righteous in teshuvah] is a matter of "unification of M"ah and Ba"n."