[Avodah] Solving Nishmas

[David Wacholder via Avodah]

   1. Machzor Vitry 148-153 is entitled Pisron Nishmas. MV – actually Rashi
   – explains the Nishmas prayer, from Nishmas Kol Chai  through Yishtabach
   Shimcha to Melech Keil Chay Haolamim. Rashi insists on structure – the
   beginning and end ideas must match.
   2. Toward the beginning of Nishmas, Rashi uniquely in Tzarfas
   manuscripts, has VeHashem Shmo Eir Lo Yanum Vlo Yiyshan. Todays  Nusach
   Sefard siddurim have it, Nusach Ashkenaz dropped it. It replaces the
   simpler phrase Hashem Shomeir …Lo Yanum Vlo Yiyshan ;; inserts Hashem Shmo
   Eir…Lo Yanum Vlo Yiyshan. Shmo Eir is not itself a Passuk, but it contains
   an interesting idea.
   3. MV 148 Rashi explains that it refers to Parshas VaEira – Hashem says
   I appeared to them with the Name Keil Shakay but  Ushmi HVHY lo nodati
   lahem to the Avos.–
   4. Meaning I Hashem merely promised the Avos that I will rescue and
   remove the  Bnei Yisrael out of Mitzrayim, but now I am delivering on the
   promise. The Avos were totally dedicated to Hashem – the Avos proved their
   dedication to Hashem, allowing the highest attainable Partnership with
   Hashem for Kavod Hashem.
   5. The Avos  measured up to all expectations. No special dispensations
   were required for the Avos. Combining Rashi on Chumash with MV
   6. Now that there is a great multitude, many of them resigned to
   Pharaoh’s tyranny, sinking through levels of assimilation within the Mitzri
   culture, tremendous Rachamim is required, to ignore their present attitudes
   and focus on their future dedication.
   7. Not only is there a promise to the Avos, it is a unilateral covenant
   of Hashem with Himself, to adopt all of the Bnie Yiserael and remove them
   from Pharaoh’s tyranny. Rachamim- like a woman carrying a child forms a
   permanent connection, long before the child has much to say about it.
   8. The unilateral dedication is Ehkeh. See RAshi on Ehkeh – I will Be
   there for them in this tzara And in the ensuing Tzaros! Ehkeh means
   actively protecting them . Like parenting where at the onset of the
   relationship the child is only reactive. At the very beginning – Ehekeh –
   whatever the obstacles, Hashem will rescue all of them. Ani Vlo Malach.
   There were not myriads of protestors against Pharaoh.
   9. Once there is some reaction from the child, there is a bilateral
   relationship. The king is addressed by his subjects in the Third Person. We
   are allowed to say He will be there for us dependably, Protect us.
   10. MV and Rashbam use the phrase Hoveh – becoming – as doing deeds
   worthy to  be crowned as King. Ma Hoveh Laadam what becomes of man. He will
   Become king of the Entire world.  In turn BY bow in complete devotion.
   11. Rav Yosef Bchor Shor of Orleans – renowned Baal Tosfos – in his
   Peirushim on Chumash, tends to air out all controversies. Rather than
   suggesting other ways to explain Ehkeh and HVHY, Bchor Shor completely
   assumes Rashbam’s literal interpretation of the Name of Hashem.  He objects
   that Ehkeh must be lesser, as the Reader is allowed to pronounce it. HVHY
   must be the highest name. Meshech Chochma also comments on this issue.
   12. Shma…Hashem Echad – Rashbam explains Hashem Elokeinu – Hasem watches
   over us, Hashem Echad – exclusively we trust Only Hashem, in a trusting
   relationship  no talismans and good luck charms are necessary,.
   13. Rashi would not refer to the general attribute of Hashgacha Pratis.
   He would rather say focused attention -  “Hashgacha Tmidis” – Einei Hashem
   Elokecha bah from beginning of year to end.
   14. Mitzvos are the House Rules. He inhabits your Camp in wars, so do
   not do anything that would drive Him away.
   15. Ata Hu Rishon – you are first – since You made the Covenant to
   protect Bnei Yisrael – Rokeiach al Hatorah.
   16. Chai Olamim – present and ready to intercede at all times the moment
   needed. The comparison to creation is skipped here.
   17. Since distance converts to time – as in - eleven days travel from
   Choreiv - – for ever includes any place that His Callers are in trouble.
   18. To me that suggests Baruch has a root meaning of greeting Hshem who
   is Present.

When Hashem is Present, that is a blessing.

   1. At end of Nishmas Yishtabach – Chai Haolamim – Hoveh – hayah vyihyeh–
   Note that instead of conventional translation  Gives Life to Worlds, he
   translates eternal. Hoveh precedes the others, to say He does wonders to
   earn the throne.
   2. . Ani Hashem lo shaniti – end of trei Assar – Malachi – My
   relationship with you Bnei Yisrael has not weakened or wavered, implying –
   just as up to now you continued on, rather than ending, it will continue
   like that.
   3. Rashi always used the style of a Mfareish, signaling where Rashi’s
   own ideas were being expressed. Command of Tanach Midrash and Piyutim was
   expected of the listeners. .
   4. Machzor Vitri – Pitron Nishmas – 148-153 is the most detailed shiur
   we have from Rashi. Combining it with parallels in Rashi’ Chumash
   commentary, his grandson Rashbam’s interpretation of Rashi, a picture
   emerges of Rashi’s Hashkafa.
   5. Rashi’s leading disciples add comments, including RABaN – credited as
   the scribe. RABaN’s grandson  RaABiYaH alludes to this piece, missed by Rav
   D  Deblitsky’s edition. Rashi proves at length that the paragraph of
   Yishtabach begins earlier – AL KOL – besides the praises for all the
   miracles up to Dovid Hamelech, besides those even after, Hashem continues
   to add new wonders and miracles – so that new praise is necessary – so
   Hashem’s wonders will be continuously Glorified – Yishtabach for ever Your
   glorious Name.

Raabiyah inserts it as an easy answer why Yishtabach need not formally
open  Baruch Atah… as it is has continuity with  Baruch SheAmar.
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