Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim Siman 5

Siman 5

Presented here for study, not as a practical ruling. The Shulchan Aruch rules by Sephardi custom, the Rema's glosses by Ashkenazi custom, and the Kitzur follows Ashkenazi custom. For a practical question, ask your rabbi.

א יְכַוֵּן בַּבְּרָכוֹת פֵּרוּשׁ הַמִּלּוֹת, כְּשֶׁיַּזְכִּיר הַשֵּׁם יְכַוֵּן פֵּרוּשׁ קְרִיאָתוֹ בְּאַדְנוּת, שֶׁהוּא אֲדוֹן הַכֹּל וִיכַוֵּן בִּכְתִיבָתוֹ בְּיוֹ"ד הֵ " א שֶׁהָיָה וְהֹוֶה וְיִהְיֶה. וּבְהַזְכִּירוֹ אֱלֹהִים יְכַוֵּן שֶׁהוּא תַּקִּיף בַּעַל הַיְכֹלֶת, וּבַעַל הַכֹּחוֹת כֻּלָּם:
1 [Laws Regarding The Proper] Intent [When Reciting] The Blessings. Containing 1 Se'if: One should have in mind the meaning of the words when reciting blessings. When articulating the Name (ie. י-ה-ו-ה), one should have in mind the meaning of the Name as it is pronounced - Adon-ai (א-ד-ו-נ-י): that He is Lord over all. And one should have in mind [the meaning of the Name] as it is spelled with a Yud-Hei (ie. י-ה-ו-ה) that He Was (ה-י-ה), Is (ה-ו-ה), and Will Be (י-ה-י-ה). And when articulating the Name Elo-him (א-ל-ה-י-ם), have in mind that He is Strong, Omnipotent, and Master of all powers.