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It is permitted and required to mention Hashem’s name in the context of berachot. But the question is why are we blessing Hashem? Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to thank Him? We should mention another use of Hashem’s name, one which is connected to the curser. Moshe had used Hashem’s name to curse the Egyptian who was beating a Jew, after the Egyptian impregnated the Jew’s wife with the child who grew up to be the curser of Hashem (Rashi, ad loc.).
In order to gain more insight, we should look at one of the most fascinating blessings of Hashem, described by the gemara in Berachot (7a). Rabbi Yishmael ben Elisha said that "one time I entered the inner sanctum" and saw Hashem sitting on His great throne, "and He said to me, ‘Yishmael, My son, bless Me.’" Yishmael responded: "Shall it be Your desire that Your mercy will conquer Your anger … and shall You treat Your children with the attribute of mercy and go, on their behalf, beyond the letter of the law." Hashem shook his head in acquiescence.
Why did Rabbi Yishmael, who was the kohen gadol, say that he went "one time" into the inner sanctum, if he actually did it every year? The midrash (Otzar Hamidrashim, p. 444) tells another monumental story about Rabbi Yishmael, which is also introduced with the words "one time." That is the story of the Roman tyrant who approached some of the greatest rabbinical leaders of the era and accused them of responsibility for the brothers’ sale of Yosef and demanded that they give their lives in place of their deceased forefathers. Rabbi Yishmael asked from his colleagues to share in the sin of using Hashem’s name so that he could go and see what had been decreed from the Heavens, so that he could either accept it or use the Name to fight it.
Let us suggest that these stories actually form two sides of one coin. Rabbi Yishmael was called upon, along with his colleagues, to accept upon himself the "dreadful" divine decree to be killed and in that way be a utensil for the sanctification of His name. In confirming this matter, Rabbi Yishmael went that one time into a very special holy place to "confer with Hashem." At that time, Hashem asked Yishmael to bless Him, i.e., to accept the decree upon himself. It was as if he made a standard beracha of "Blessed are you, Hashem," which indicates that one believes in Hashem, whether for "good" or for "bad." When one makes a beracha before eating, he is in essence saying that he is eating in order to serve his Creator and, similarly, accept His decisions.
Let us join with Rabbi Yishmael’s call and pray that Hashem will treat us with the mercy we need to meet the standards He sets for us.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
