Questions tagged [shemos-sacred-names]

name of God printed in a way that may not be erased

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
40 votes
8 answers
4k views

Is it permissible to erase the name of G-d from an E-reader?

Most people seem to be lenient about shemos on digital screens in general (though Bar-Ilan does avoid displaying the Tetragrammaton.) The letters on the screen are just light, there is nothing really ...
Ariel K's user avatar
  • 11k
35 votes
4 answers
2k views

Pronouncing Hashem's name in a song

Some people are very careful to say Hashem or Elokim when singing a song with one of G-d's names in it so as not to use His name in vain (related question), but I have also been told this is ...
Michael Sandler's user avatar
30 votes
5 answers
2k views

When blogging/emailing/etc., do I use "God" or "G-d"?

Is there a religious problem with typing out the name: "G-o-d"?
Shalom's user avatar
  • 133k
24 votes
2 answers
770 views

Is there a halachic problem with the Columbia University seal on the floor of the library?

The seal of Columbia University has the YKVK (G-d's 4 letter name) on the floor of the library. People walk on the seal. Is this chilul Hashem or is there some other halachic problem with this? Does ...
DanF's user avatar
  • 70.4k
23 votes
1 answer
754 views

Saying Hashem's name when studying

I learned somewhere that when you are learning, if you are going to read an entire pasuk without interruption you can say Hashem's name, however if you are going to only say part of the pasuk (for ...
morah hochman's user avatar
21 votes
1 answer
815 views

Should someone tell a Jewish doctor about a tattoo of G-d's name?

Background: I am not Jewish. I have a tattoo containing G-d's name. I have been in the process of removing this tattoo using laser treatment. There seems to be some disagreement on whether or not ...
Dan's user avatar
  • 893
19 votes
2 answers
1k views

Is one allowed to have a tattoo of G-d's name removed?

Inspired by Dan's question , and requested by DoubleAA... If one got a tattoo of G-d's name, either in ignorance or in spite of the prohibition against tattooing, may one have it removed? Would this ...
HodofHod's user avatar
  • 21k
16 votes
2 answers
673 views

Bringing wallet with benscher into bathroom

If someone has one of the small "pocket benschers" that slide into his wallet, is it a problem for him to walk into the bathroom with his wallet in his pocket?
Daniel's user avatar
  • 24.9k
14 votes
2 answers
3k views

Would most Jews deem a tattoo containing the tetragrammaton offensive?

I understand that this question involves a measure of subjectivity, but I am curious to hear people's opinions. I understand that getting a (real) tattoo is forbidden by Jewish law. I also know that ...
Dan's user avatar
  • 893
14 votes
3 answers
366 views

Relationship between wearing a kippa and reciting a blessing

Before I started wearing a Kippa all the time, the people around me and I had the reflex to cover our head when saying the name of G-d or when reciting anything holy. Since the mitzvah is to wear it ...
Nathan H's user avatar
  • 2,619
14 votes
2 answers
2k views

Do photocopies of torah need to be put in shaimos?

Do photocopied sheets (such as chumash or gemara) need to be put in sheimos or can they be thrown straight into the garbage?
N123's user avatar
  • 2,873
14 votes
2 answers
494 views

Why is the Tetragrammaton vowelized in Siddurim and in Sefarim?

I've often found that the Tetragrammaton (Shem Havayah) is often vowelized in siddurim and sefarim. Since we b'davkah don't say the Shem Havayah how it is spelled, why are the vowels included? Also, ...
Naftuli Kay's user avatar
  • 3,914
14 votes
2 answers
591 views

(Sort of) Writing the Name of God

I'm taking an Aramaic class, and one of the words that came up in the text I'm reading is "yehuweh," meaning "he will become" (in context, "he will become my successor). It is spelled with the exact ...
Ayyu-Arku's user avatar
  • 141
13 votes
2 answers
315 views

Does braille go to sheimos?

Do things that, when written in print, require placement in sheimos (such as shem Hashem and divrei Torah), need to be placed in sheimos when written in Braille? Would we say that since most people ...
MTL's user avatar
  • 19.1k
13 votes
1 answer
291 views

Bes El or Bes Kel?

There is at least one city mentioned in Tanach named Bes El, written as two words; that name currently belongs to a city in Israel and a number of synagogues and Reform temples. Does that "El" have ...
msh210's user avatar
  • 73.7k
12 votes
3 answers
894 views

Is it permissible for a Gentile to utter Hashem's Name?

I have seen a lot of mention about "Hashem's Name" on this website. I would like to know: Is it permissible for a Jew to tell a Gentile what Hashem's Name really is--what I am asking is, say, a ...
absurdrefusal's user avatar
12 votes
1 answer
182 views

Onkelus translation of Gods name

Why does Onkelus usually translate the name Elokim as Hashem? For example in the following pasuk (Bereshit 5:1): זֶה סֵפֶר תּוֹלְדֹת אָדָם בְּיוֹם בְּרֹא אֱלֹהִים אָדָם בִּדְמוּת אֱלֹהִים עָשָׂה ...
jutky's user avatar
  • 6,024
12 votes
1 answer
2k views

Deleting files containing G-d's Name / taking the host device into the bathroom

Is there any issue regarding deleting electronic files with G-d's Name in them? Also, is there any issue with taking such a device into the bathroom?
cookie monster's user avatar
12 votes
3 answers
400 views

י-ו as a name of Hashem

Sometimes the letters י-ו seem to serve as a name of Hashem. For example, many authors replace י-ו with טז in a numbering system, presumably so as to not write Hashem's name, similar to replacing י-ה ...
Y     e     z's user avatar
12 votes
2 answers
786 views

Heretics in the bathroom

From my understanding a torah scroll written by a heretic has no sanctity and should be burned (Gittin 45b). May one read torah related material, written by a heretic but that contains nothing ...
rachav's user avatar
  • 535
12 votes
1 answer
903 views

What is the function of "Eloheinu" in blessings?

Many blessings open with the familiar formula: ברוך אתה יהוה אלהינו מלך העולם In additions, many blessings close with the familiar shorter formula: ברוך אתה יהוה Now, we know (Berakhot 40b, ...
Double AA's user avatar
  • 98.7k
12 votes
0 answers
191 views

Why do we write the number 16 as tet + zayin? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: How could the numerals יה and יו be used irreverently? I understand that we write the number 15 as tet vav as opposed to yud hey to avoid writing the shem Hashem, but what ...
ha'bayishan's user avatar
11 votes
3 answers
1k views

Double Yud as G-ds Name

What is the significance of the double Yud used as a stand-in for G-d's name?
SimchasTorah's user avatar
  • 33.2k
11 votes
1 answer
237 views

Pronunciation of God's Name in the Bach

The Bach, writing on the Tur OC 5:1, says that when pronouncing the tetragrammaton (שם הויה) as the שם אדנות, some people say the first vowel as a patach and some as tending toward tseirei. His words:...
magicker72's user avatar
  • 9,891
10 votes
2 answers
684 views

How could the numerals יה and יו be used irreverently?

I was told that in the sequence of numerals with Hebrew letters, the numbers 15 and 16 are rendered with טו and טז instead of יה and יו to prevent the tetragrammaton from being formed irreverently. ...
Peter Olson's user avatar
  • 1,723
10 votes
1 answer
3k views

When do we say Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo?

I'm somewhat confused on when Baruch Hu Uvaruch Shemo (ברוך הוא וברוך שמו) should be said after Hashem's name in a B'racha (I'm taking for granted that it is only said in the context of a bracha, but ...
yydl's user avatar
  • 38.6k
10 votes
2 answers
2k views

Would a Jew violate the prohibition to pronounce the name of YHWH by saying "Yahweh" and/or "Yehowah"?

Based on a previous post that the pronunciation of YHWH as a subject is not disrespectful to be asked here, I hereby ask these: 1.) Are the pronunciation of "Yahweh" and "Yehowah" to be considered ...
ninamag's user avatar
  • 43
10 votes
1 answer
383 views

Dr. Bronner's soap

If you read the label of a bottle of Dr. Bronner's soap you will find--as I was flabbergasted to find--that the very last words are a whimsical English translation of "Shema Yisroel." Dr. Bronner ...
SAH's user avatar
  • 19.7k
10 votes
3 answers
547 views

Is it permissible to say "Shabbos/Shabbat" in the bathroom?

I once heard or read somewhere that Shabbos/Shabbat is one of the names of Hashem. 1- Is there a source for this? 2- If it's true, can I say "Shabbos/Shabbat" in the bathroom?
Gavriel's user avatar
  • 9,648
10 votes
2 answers
10k views

Difference between El and Eloah

El(אל) and Eloah(אלוה) are both singular forms (nouns), but its אל thats being used to form the plural Elim (אלים), and אלוה thats being used to form the plural Elohim (אלוה׳ם). Both singular forms ...
J.Levi's user avatar
  • 1,079
9 votes
6 answers
2k views

ALL Names of God

Where can I find an exhaustive list of all of the names of Hashem (preferably שמות and כינוים) in Tanach and elsewhere? Is this too ill-defined a topic to have an exhaustive answer? Do the 70 in the ...
WAF's user avatar
  • 23.7k
9 votes
2 answers
971 views

Writing the name chaya

In Hebrew, writing "chaya" with all its letters would result in spelling God's name "ya". Is this okay? How should it be spelled? With a ' instead of the hay? With a ' between the yud and the hay? ...
andrewmh20's user avatar
  • 2,462
9 votes
1 answer
603 views

Dropping a phone siddur or chumash

If you have a siddur or chumash on your phone and you drop it, do you kiss it if... the siddur is not open the siddur is open, but shem hashem is not showing the siddur is open and shem Hashem is ...
2345678876543's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
286 views

ברוך שם כבוד מלכותו לעולם ועד after a bracha with a false statement

If we make a bracha levatala or say Hashem's name by accident, we say ברוך שם כבוד מלכותו לעולם ועד. Is this true only if the original bracha is a valid praise of Hashem, or even if it contains false ...
Heshy's user avatar
  • 9,126
9 votes
1 answer
150 views

Seeding free libraries with books with names of Hashem

In my area there are (secular) library boxes like these The idea is a simple variation on the honor system: Take a book, return a book. Someone, generally a volunteer, puts out a roofed box ...
Daniel's user avatar
  • 1,093
9 votes
1 answer
326 views

Why is the hey in Elo-* replaced with a kuf?

As we know when we write Hashem's name, we replace the hey with a kuf. Why davka a kuf? For example: Elokai, Elokeinu, Elokah, or "Yud-Key-Vav-Key". And in "Yud-key-vav-key", why is it pronounced ...
Seymore Cohen's user avatar
9 votes
3 answers
600 views

How/Why do amulets work?

Assuming that kameot (Jewish amulets) do provide some real protection (not simply putting the mind of the wearer at ease) how/why do they work? Meaning, why would writing the various obscure names of ...
user avatar
8 votes
5 answers
1k views

Was the world created with din or with rachamim?

I remember Chazal saying somewhere that the world could not survive, had it been created with din/harsh judgement/strictness. However, in Bereshis, at the very beginning, it says: בְּרֵאשִׁית ...
Naftuli Kay's user avatar
  • 3,914
8 votes
1 answer
444 views

Should "Shalom" be treated like a name of God?

Inspired by the "This American Life" podcast cited in this question: I've certainly seen it written (although I cannot recall the exact sources) that "Shalom" is one of the names of God. Does this ...
jake's user avatar
  • 28.5k
8 votes
7 answers
676 views

Why "hamokom" in Haggada

Why do we say baruch hamokom baruch hu? Why that name of hashem here? There are many more names we could have used.
menachem's user avatar
  • 1,138
8 votes
2 answers
787 views

Boruch Shem Kevod Malchuso L'Olam Voed after saying Hashem's name in error - ברוך שם כבוד מלכותו לעולם ועד

When someone says Hashem's name in error, why do we say Boruch Shem Kevod Malchuso L'Olam Voed - ברוך שם כבוד מלכותו לעולם ועד?
Gershon Gold's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
371 views

Why does the Talmud use the term רחמנא?

When quoting verses, the Talmud often says something like אמר רחמנא - "the Merciful One said..." What is the significance of this name? Why not use a name like הקדוש ברוך הוא - a name commonly found ...
Ypnypn's user avatar
  • 8,283
8 votes
2 answers
684 views

Why is one permutation of the name of God backwards?

If you spell out each letter that makes up the name of God, then add up the gematria (numerical value) of each letter of each fully spelled out letter you get various values. The value depends on how ...
user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
294 views

Why is it considered respectful to capitalize G-d and its derivatives/pronouns?

I recognize that in English proper nouns are supposed to be capitalized, especially in the case where a proper noun is also a common noun (e.g. the mall vs. the Mall), but only when referring to G-d ...
AdamRedwine's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
309 views

Basis for not doing a full sof-aliya trop on Hashem's name

The Ashkenazi leining for the end of an aliya generally has a drop of 4 tones. In my preferred key, that's from D to A (hit y then e on this virtual piano). However, some baalei kriah in my shul do ...
Scimonster's user avatar
  • 23.1k
8 votes
2 answers
2k views

How should holy objects be buried?

I understand shemos must be buried. Are there any restrictions on the manner or location of burial? (For example — just some ideas off the top of my head — need it be in a container which ...
msh210's user avatar
  • 73.7k
8 votes
1 answer
152 views

Why does God have Moshe use a name the Israelites won't know?

When God sends Moshe back to Egypt from Midyan, he instructs Moshe to refer to God as "Hashem." (Shemot 3:15) When Moshe returns from the task, God reveals that the Israelites (or at least their ...
Josh Resnick's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
373 views

Why does Gehazi have no share in the world to come?

The mishna in Sanhedrin 90a lists Gehazi as one of the 4 commoners who have no share in the world to come. I have seen different reasons for this none of which I fully understand. He mocked the ...
pokemon's user avatar
  • 499
8 votes
2 answers
713 views

How does "Elokim" ("אלקים") solve the problem?

Please seriously pardon my lack of Hebrew skills. If "א-ל" is already a shem Hashem (to the point where in many contexts we might say or write "קל" - "Keyl"), how is it OK to leave the א-ל intact at ...
SAH's user avatar
  • 19.7k
8 votes
1 answer
289 views

Explicit shaimos printed in prayer books

The gemara in Shabbos 115b cites a Tosefta seemingly condemning those who publish prayer-books (and amulets) with G-d's name: "...מכאן אמרו כותבי ברכות כשורפי תורה". Nonetheless, it is common practice ...
Loewian's user avatar
  • 17.7k

1
2 3 4 5
7