Let me begin by stating a name conveys the nature and essence of the thing named. As I was growing up, I was taught to respect a person, respect how I used their name, respect how I addressed them with their name, nor do I slander their name; and the understanding as to a person's reputation as his "good name."
HaShem means "the Name." You will at times see this name printed and spoken of G-d. The only times G-d name is spoken is during prayer (Tefillah), worship service and reading His word--the Torah or Brit Chadasha. HaShem is used outside of these parameters.
Chillul Ha-Shem and kiddush Ha-Shem --an act that causes God or Judaism to come into disrespect or a commandment to be disobeyed is often referred to as "chillul Ha-Shem," profanation of The Name. Clearly, we are not talking about a harm done to a word; we are talking about harm to a reputation. Likewise, any deed that increases the respect accorded to God or Judaism is referred to as "kiddush Ha-Shem," sanctification of The Name.
What is in a name?
In Exodus 3:13-22, Moshe (Moses) asked who shall I say that has sent me...the reply...I am, that I am.
This also brings to mind a certain movie, David, with Richard Gere, I remember the antagonistic soldier who taunted the Israel soldiers about a nameless G-d. He challenged them on how they boasted about HaShem, as the scene continues, G-d used David to defend His name and the people of Israel.
The most important of God's Names is the four-letter Name represented by the Hebrew letters Yod-Hei-Vav-Hei (YHVH). This word is related to the Hebrew root Hei-Yod-Hei (to be), and reflects the fact that God's existence is eternal. Scripture tells Elohim is the first word in scripture used for Him. Yehoshua (Joshua, meaning "the Lord is my Salvation"), Eliyahu (Elijah, meaning "my G-d is the L-rd"), and Halleluyah ("praise the L-rd"). G-d is also known as El Shaddai. This Name is usually translated as "G-d Almighty.
Writing the name of G-d.
Jews do not casually write any Name of G-d.
Judaism does not prohibit writing the Name of G-d per se; it prohibits only erasing or defacing a Name of G-d. However, observant Jews, and myself, avoid writing any Name of G-d casually because of the risk that the written Name might later be defaced, obliterated or destroyed accidentally or by one who does not know better.
The commandment not to erase or deface the name of G-d comes from Deut. 12:3. In that passage, the people are commanded that when they take over the promised land, they should destroy all things related to the idolatrous religions of that region, and should utterly destroy the names of the local deities. Immediately afterwards, we are commanded not to do the same to our G-d. From this, the rabbis inferred that we are commanded not to destroy any holy thing, and not to erase or deface a Name of G-d.
Erasing or defacing Names of G-d applies only to Names that are written in some kind of permanent form, and that writing on a computer is not a permanent form, thus it is not a violation to type G-d's Name into a computer and then backspace over it or cut and paste it, or copy and delete files with G-d's Name in them. However, once you print the document out, it becomes a permanent form. That is why I avoid writing a Name of G-d on web sites or a blog like this one because there is a risk that someone else will print it out and deface it.
I trust that you have received this Fresh Manna at this appointed season...
7 Comments:
I agree with you Prophetess.
When I saw it, I thought about the word in several places. One was avoid foolish and gender questions. I will not repeat the other one.
however some thought maybe that had to defend his honor but I just looked over it for my time is valuable.
18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
I was abit confused about why you were writing the names. But i have learnt something new today. Interesting, i have never looked at it this way.
And, besides all of this, there are no vowels in HEBREW.
Received.
But isn't improperly spelling intentionally being disrespectful, instead shouldn't one use one of the names that are in the bible that is used to describe the atribute like YahWeh/Jehovah-JiRha (I realise some use YahWeh some use Jehovah the whole) or El Shaddai instead of purposefully misspelling words which aren't His Name but only His Position?
I have spent 3 yrs in fellowship with Beth Am Messiah Congregation, which is a Messianic Jewish congregation in New city, New York. It was there the Jewish understanding of writing the name of G-d (Hashem) was learned. It is definite benefit to the believer to begin to research the Hebrew roots to our Christian faith. A study on the tabernacle in the wilderness, as well as the Messianic fulfillment found in the Holy Days will only enrich one's understanding of G-d and the messsianic fulfillment of Yeshua HaMaschiach (Jesus the Messiah). A deeper understanding of the messianic dimension of the Hebrew scriptures, will also bring about a deeper appreciation of the Brit Hadashah (New Testament). One thing that is often not through of is the reality that Jesus, when we walked this earth, was a practicing Jew.
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