Questions tagged [shemos-sacred-names]

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

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12 votes
1 answer
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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
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
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8 votes
7 answers
658 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
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39 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
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6 votes
4 answers
4k views

Why are Jews so meticulous about not saying/writing "god"? [duplicate]

Why are Jews so meticulous about not saying/writing "god"? I see all sorts of words around, like "G-d", "lord", etc., but they all mean exactly the same thing. It's not like the halacha has a list of ...
user avatar
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
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10 votes
2 answers
656 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
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8 votes
1 answer
277 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
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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
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8 votes
2 answers
769 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
5 votes
1 answer
828 views

Sheimos in newspapers and parsha sheets

How should one dispose of Jewish newspapers, newsletters, children's parsha sheets, etc. that contain Divrei Torah? I believe some poskim require/allow it to be double wrapped and then left outside to ...
Dave's user avatar
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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
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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
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3 votes
2 answers
877 views

Holiness status of Yod-Yod

What level of kedushah does the Tetragrammaton-substitution "yod-yod" have? Can it go in the garbage? Must it be geniza'ed? Let's assume that the word is used in a song or other non-Torah sentence. ...
Charles Koppelman's user avatar
16 votes
2 answers
640 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
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14 votes
2 answers
467 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
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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
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8 votes
1 answer
2k views

May we still say Elohim and other names of God in everyday speech?

My experience (at least in the Orthodox Ashkenazic community) is that it is common knowledge that we may not say Elohim in everyday speech. On the other hand, it seems like in many cases in Tanach or ...
A L's user avatar
  • 2,547
7 votes
1 answer
2k views

Which Names of Hashem can/can't we say [in regular conversation]?

Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (6:3) writes that one shouldn't say Hashem's name except by way of praise or blessing whenever required, or when learning (Torah) [see this answer and this question ] Indeed, ...
Danield's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
935 views

Writing HaShem's actual name in English

Is it permissible to write out HaShem's actual name (the "Tetragrammaton") in English (or any other, non-Semitic, language)? Does it make a difference how you spell it, ie., whether you write it in ...
Seth J's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
285 views

Can Holiness Be Retroactively Withdrawn?

Without getting into the debate of Ashurith (Modern Hebrew) vs K'thav Ivri (Paleo Hebrew), let's just say for the sake of argument that Paleo Hebrew was the original Hebrew. It is known that the ...
Aaron's user avatar
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5 votes
0 answers
197 views

What are the practical limits of shaimos in the common era? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Hashems name on device I've tried to always be careful in regard to shaimos, but I'm still having difficulty understanding how it maps out in the age of the computer. Does a ...
Naftuli Kay's user avatar
  • 3,894
4 votes
2 answers
527 views

May one say the letters of Hashem's name i.e. “Yud hei vov hei”?

We know we cannot pronounce the 4-lettered name of Hashem. Is it allowed to say the letters of Hashem's name ie “Yud hei vov hei” as in the meditation before counting the Omer or must one say “Yud ...
Avrohom Yitzchok's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
323 views

Printing shem hashem

My siddur does not have the laining for rosh chodesh so I want to print a copy of it. Is there anything wrong with intentionally printing it without removing shem hashem?
2345678876543's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
287 views

When was the name אדני first used instead of the name יקוק?

From this site we have a summary of the medrash: As Yaakov nears his demise, the Torah tells us that he wanted to reveal to his children what was to transpire at the end of days. After Yaakov's ...
Avrohom Yitzchok's user avatar
24 votes
2 answers
750 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
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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
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14 votes
2 answers
566 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
12 votes
1 answer
815 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
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10 votes
3 answers
521 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
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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
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9 votes
1 answer
313 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
7 votes
1 answer
497 views

Changing the spelling of "G-d" and Halachic erasure

Is there a problem of "erasing the name of HaShem" if you erase the English word spelled G-o-d, and if so, is there then a problem of erasing it in order to spell it in a more acceptable way (such as ...
Seth J's user avatar
  • 41.5k
6 votes
2 answers
330 views

Hyphenating the word Hashem

I've seen the word Hashem hyphenated ("Hash-m"). Is there any valid reason for this practice?
Shmuel's user avatar
  • 10.5k
3 votes
4 answers
386 views

Is it idolatry to use the english word "God" to refer to Hashem?

Shabbos 67b says "Gad" (גד) was the name of an Amorite idol, and we shouldn't use it. Shouldn't this apply to the name "God" as well? eg. "God forbid"
zaq's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
261 views

'Kavannah' of Shem Havayeh in the first line of Kriat Shma

The requirement when saying the name 'Havayeh' to have in mind both the meaning of 'adon ha-kol' and 'hayah hoveh ve-yihyhe' takes me some time: longer than almost anybody I see in shul taking to ...
paquda's user avatar
  • 4,881
0 votes
3 answers
285 views

Calling the name of God

Chapter 3 in Joel: א וְהָיָה אַחֲרֵי-כֵן, אֶשְׁפּוֹךְ אֶת-רוּחִי עַל-כָּל-בָּשָׂר, וְנִבְּאוּ, בְּנֵיכֶם וּבְנוֹתֵיכֶם; זִקְנֵיכֶם, חֲלֹמוֹת יַחֲלֹמוּן--בַּחוּרֵיכֶם, חֶזְיֹנוֹת יִרְאוּ.‏ ב ...
user avatar
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
14 votes
3 answers
357 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
  • 2,609
13 votes
1 answer
278 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
  • 73.6k
9 votes
2 answers
921 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
  • 2,461
8 votes
2 answers
663 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
6 votes
3 answers
1k views

How do we know how to pronounce God's name?

Surprisingly, I have only just realized that we pronounce the letters Yud-Hey-Vuv-Hey completely differently then how the spelling could possibly sound. I mean the pronunciation used during laning ...
SophArch's user avatar
  • 369
5 votes
4 answers
886 views

Why is God's name spelled differently in Sefardi siddurs?

In Ashkenazi siddurs God's name is spelled with two yuds; in Sephardi siddurs we find them spelled as YKVK with the word a-d-o-n-o-y placed inside the last "hey". Also, on occasion, God's name (YKVK) ...
Ani Yodea's user avatar
  • 13k
5 votes
2 answers
191 views

Why doesn't G-d's name appear in Megillath Esther?

Megillath Esther is a canonical book (i.e., in the biblical canon) about the salvation of the Jewish people. Why, then, doesn't G-d's name appear anywhere in the text?
Seth J's user avatar
  • 41.5k
5 votes
1 answer
327 views

Tetragrammaton homophone

If someone has a name in a foreign language which sounds like the pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton (YKVK), is there any problem calling the person by name?
Curiouser's user avatar
  • 7,873
5 votes
2 answers
420 views

Transliterated Shemot

Do transliterated names of G-d (tetragrammata, adoshem, et c.) cause a book to be shemos? I have never noticed a traditional Jewish sefer which contains such an example, although most are already ...
Noach MiFrankfurt's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
526 views

What are the reasons or rules for the different variations in vowels on the Tetragrammaton?

I'm aware that the vowels of the Tetragrammaton are unknown and i'm not asking what they are. I see a lot of variation in the vowels placed or not placed, on the Tetragrammaton. Sometimes a hataph ...
barlop's user avatar
  • 2,087
4 votes
5 answers
1k views

Performing miracles with Hashem's Name

Moshe killed a mitzri by uttering a shem Hashem, name of Hashem, according to Rashi, Sh'mos 2:14. Bilaam pronounced the 42 letter shem Hashem (known as the 'sod ha'affifah) and was able to fly. What ...
none's user avatar
  • 3,928
3 votes
2 answers
1k views

Why do we use yud, yud? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Double Yud as G-ds Name In the siddur we often do not write out the four letter name of God (yud,kay, vav, kay) but instead write yud, yud. Why do we do this? Is this a ...
avi's user avatar
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