The Proper Intention When Responding “Yeheh Shemeh Rabba” in Kaddish

Kaddish is a prayer asking that Hashem's Name shall be recognized, revered and glorified throughout the world. When we answer to the Hazzan, "Amen, Yeheh Shemeh Rabba," we are essentially joining in this prayer, affirming that we, too, pray and yearn for the time when G-d's Name will be great. The Rabbis teach that during our period of exile, G-d's Name is "incomplete," as it were, consisting only of the first two letters – Yod and Heh. This is indicated in Hashem's pronouncement following the war against Amalek, "Ki Yad Al Kes Y-ah" (Shemot 17:16) – that as long as Amalek has yet to be defeated, and evil still exists in the world, G-d's Name is "Y-ah," consisting of only two letters. In the future, the Vav and the second Heh will be added to complete the Name. The Hazzan thus begins Kaddish with the words "Yitgadal Ve'yitkadash," which together consist of eleven letters – an allusion to the letters Vav and Heh, which have the combined number value of 11. "Yitgadal Ve'yitkadash Shemeh Rabba" is a prayer that G-d's Name shall be "completed" through its glorification among all peoples on earth. We therefore proclaim in our response to Kaddish, "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba" – that Hashem's Name shall be "Rabba," "large" and complete, with the arrival of Mashiah, when G-d's Name will be acknowledged and respected throughout the world. Because we respond to Kaddish so often – numerous times each day – we are prone to answering mindlessly, without paying attention to what we are saying. We should try, as much as possible, to concentrate on the meaning of the Hazzan's declaration, and on the meaning of our response – that we are praying for G-d's Name to be known and glorified throughout the world. Some have the custom when the Hazzan begins Kaddish to recite the verse, "Ve'ata Yigdal Na Koah Hashem…" (Bamidbar 14:17). However, the Arizal taught that this practice is incorrect. One should listen silently and attentively to the Hazzan's recitation, and then have in mind when responding that we are joining in his prayer for the glorification of the divine Name.