Ado-noy and Elokim are regular words in Hebrew that have regular meaning ("lords" and "powers"). Why do we treat them as holy words when used in reference to God? They seem the same as any other description (like Rachum -- merciful) which is not considered a holy word.
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@larry909 Are you sure that Ado-noy (with a kamatz on the nun rather than a patach) is ever used to refer to anything other than G-d?– Joel KCommented Aug 27, 2020 at 7:17
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@JoelK could be you're right. But what about Elokim?– larry909Commented Aug 27, 2020 at 7:19
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@larry909 According to Maimonides it is a homonym: sefaria.org/Guide_for_the_Perplexed%2C_Part_1.2?lang=en– Joel KCommented Aug 27, 2020 at 8:46
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@JoelK sefaria.org/Ibn_Ezra_on_Genesis.19.18.1– Double AA ♦Commented Aug 27, 2020 at 14:16
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@DoubleAA Although Rambam paskens not that way... and that there are instances of YKVK which are hol.– Joel KCommented Aug 27, 2020 at 14:46
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2 Answers
The mentioned names are included in the negative Torah command, Sefer ha-Chinukh Mitzvah 437 Not to destroy things upon which His name, may He be blessed, are called. There are seven names included in the prohibition of this negative commandment: the name of yud-hei-vav-hei which the sages called the explicit name; and so [too] the name that is written alef-dalet-nun-yud and E-l, E-lo-ah, E-lo-him, Sha-dai and Tse-va-ot.
"The root of the commandment is revealed. As when people approach the holy with fear, with trembling and with perspiration — through that, they will bring into their hearts great fear and awe towards God, blessed be He."
Further details on the mitzvah can be found in the above reference to Sefer haChinukh and commentaries to it, such as Minchas Chinukh.
Anything that refers to God is "treated as holy". But the two examples you cite are used in prayer, and we feel the need to mark the difference between a fleeting reference in a normal conversation and a direct address in prayer. So we tweak the words when used in conversation.
answered Aug 28, 2020 at 3:04
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