Why can't Jews say God's name?

[Peter Tran]

I know they consider it holy, and even the words the use in place (Such as YHVH or YHWH, Adonai, Etc...) should not even be written or said without intense care. Yet why would God himself tell them his name, when they won't even use it. Just wondering.

Also, do Christians restrict speaking or writing Gods name and/or the words used in place of his name?

 

[sidhe]

I know they consider it holy, and even the words the use in place (Such as YHVH or YHWH, Adonai, Etc...) should not even be written or said without intense care. Yet why would God himself tell them his name, when they won't even use it. Just wondering.

Also, do Christians restrict speaking or writing Gods name and/or the words used in place of his name?

1) YHVH is G-d's name in Hebrew.

2) I don't know. The answer from the Hermetic/magickal sphere is that names have power, and using a name is exercising that power, so it's more respectful to not use the name. If that applies to the Jews...I don't know. Probably not.

 

[Peter Tran]

1) YHVH is G-d's name in Hebrew.

2) I don't know. The answer from the Hermetic/magickal sphere is that names have power, and using a name is exercising that power, so it's more respectful to not use the name. If that applies to the Jews...I don't know. Probably not.

1) Oh is it? I always thought it was used as a placeholder with nouns taken out. That leads to a minor question though, in the Hebrew Bible; does it say YHVH or does it say YHWH? I mean, I know it's in Hebrew lettering but why do I see both types of the Tetragrammaton?

 

[ProScribe]

Likely it is because the Jewish sages and rabbis place emphasis and importance in holding the Names of God as holy or sacred. For example, a Rabbi may instruct his student ~ study these names I have approved for you , when you have permission to verbally pronounce them ~ do so with utmost care and caution for utmost respect and reverence for the sacred Names of God. For example ~El Shaddai.~



Shalom @ my Jewish friends & neighbors

 

[sidhe]

1) Oh is it? I always thought it was used as a placeholder with nouns taken out. That leads to a minor question though, in the Hebrew Bible; does it say YHVH or does it say YHWH? I mean, I know it's in Hebrew lettering but why do I see both types of the Tetragrammaton?

There are no vowels in Hebrew, other than maybe aleph. The Hebrew letter "vau" can be transliterated as "v" or "w."

 

[xDenax]

There are vowels they just aren't usually written (perhaps that is what you meant?). God's proper name isn't know today. YHVH without the vowels represent God's name but the pronunciation is unknown. In order to make sure one doesn't disrespect God and say it, Adonai is used instead. The consonants of YHVH often had the vowels for Adonai written with them to remind people not to pronounce the four letter name. Some people starting combining the two and that is where you get Yehovah. HaShem just means "the name". As for why God revealed His name, you would have to ask Him. Supposedly the name was known at one point and the high priests would use it.

Has your question been answered?

 

[sidhe]

There are vowels they just aren't usually written (perhaps that is what you meant?). God's proper name isn't know today. YHVH without the vowels represent God's name but the pronunciation is unknown. In order to make sure one doesn't disrespect God and say it, Adonai is used instead. The consonants of YHVH often had the vowels for Adonai written with them to remind people not to pronounce the four letter name. Some people starting combining the two and that is where you get Yehovah. HaShem just means "the name". As for why God revealed His name, you would have to ask Him. Supposedly the name was known at one point and the high priests would use it.

Has your question been answered?

The dageshes as vowel-indicators are a late addition to the Hebrew language. The alefbeth contains no vowels, other than maybe "A."

A B G D H V Z Ch T Y K L M N S Ay P Tz Q R Sh Th

That's the transliterated Hebrew alphabet. The Shema, for example, actually starts:

ShMA YSRAYL, ADNY ALHNV, ADNY AChD...

Dageshes/vowels were added later to ease pronunciation. Pointed consonants, really, rather than vowels.

 

[xDenax]

I think we are on the same page. We're just saying it differently. I had misunderstood what you were trying to say. Sorry!

 

[dingdong]

The dageshes as vowel-indicators are a late addition to the Hebrew language. The alefbeth contains no vowels, other than maybe "A."

A B G D H V Z Ch T Y K L M N S Ay P Tz Q R Sh Th

That's the transliterated Hebrew alphabet. The Shema, for example, actually starts:

ShMA YSRAYL, ADNY ALHNV, ADNY AChD...

Dageshes/vowels were added later to ease pronunciation. Pointed consonants, really, rather than vowels.

With respect, that might be OK if you are writing in Hebrew but you're not you're writing in English, so in English the word is 'GOD' with a 'G' at the front an 'O' in the middle and a 'D' at the end of the word, it's a word that has been handed down for many years and is meant to instill fear into the believers of whichever 'GOD' you have been lumbered with.

 

[xDenax]

With respect, that might be OK if you are writing in Hebrew but you're not you're writing in English, so in English the word is 'GOD' with a 'G' at the front an 'O' in the middle and a 'D' at the end of the word, it's a word that has been handed down for many years and is meant to instill fear into the believers of whichever 'GOD' you have been lumbered with.

And some people leave out the O when they spell it and they say "Hashem" instead.

 

[IreneAdler]

I'm shocked no Jews have chimed in. lol.
Some christians do respect the name of God and don't say it/type it, etc. That's why you see the G-D thing.

 

[dingdong]

I'm shocked no Jews have chimed in. lol.
Some christians do respect the name of God and don't say it/type it, etc. That's why you see the G-D thing.

Are you sure it's not fear rather than respect? after all they sure don't want to get on the wrong side of a 'GOD'.

 

[IreneAdler]

Could be. Lots of Christian stuff is motivated by fear (shouldn't be but is). Kind of silly.

 

[IreneAdler]

from Judaism 101:

In Jewish thought, a name is not merely an arbitrary designation, a random combination of sounds. The name conveys the nature and essence of the thing named. It represents the history and reputation of the being named. Because a name represents the reputation of the thing named, a name should be treated with the same respect as the thing's reputation. For this reason, God's Names, in all of their forms, are treated with enormous respect and reverence in Judaism.

The most important of God's Names is the four-letter Name represented by the Hebrew letters Yod-Hei-Vav-Hei (YHVH). It is often referred to as the Ineffable Name, the Unutterable Name or the Distinctive Name. Linguistically, it is related to the Hebrew root Hei-Yod-Hei (to be), and reflects the fact that God's existence is eternal. In scripture, this Name is used when discussing God's relation with human beings, and when emphasizing his qualities of lovingkindness and mercy. It is frequently shortened to Yah (Yod-Hei), Yahu or Yeho (Yod-Hei-Vav), especially when used in combination with names or phrases, as in Yehoshua (Joshua, meaning "the Lord is my Salvation"), Eliyahu (Elijah, meaning "my God is the Lord"), and Halleluyah ("praise the Lord").

Jews do not casually write any Name of God. This practice does not come from the commandment not to take the Lord's Name in vain, as many suppose. In Jewish thought, that commandment refers solely to oath-taking, and is a prohibition against swearing by God's Name falsely or frivolously (the word normally translated as "in vain" literally means "for falsehood"). Judaism does not prohibit writing the Name of God per se; it prohibits only erasing or defacing a Name of God. However, observant Jews avoid writing any Name of God 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.

Judaism 101: The Name of G-d

 

[dingdong]

Could be. Lots of Christian stuff is motivated by fear (shouldn't be but is). Kind of silly.

I would think about 10% of it is fear, the other 90% is hope.

 

[IreneAdler]

eh... why would you not say the name of God for hope? (and I'm a christian)

 

[b&wpac4]

As always, what sidhe said.

I do not personally follow that practice (at this time).

 

[sidhe]

With respect, that might be OK if you are writing in Hebrew but you're not you're writing in English, so in English the word is 'GOD' with a 'G' at the front an 'O' in the middle and a 'D' at the end of the word, it's a word that has been handed down for many years and is meant to instill fear into the believers of whichever 'GOD' you have been lumbered with.

I'm wondering what this has to do with why Jews don't pronounce the Tetragrammaton, so...

 

[dingdong]

The dageshes as vowel-indicators are a late addition to the Hebrew language. The alefbeth contains no vowels, other than maybe "A."

A B G D H V Z Ch T Y K L M N S Ay P Tz Q R Sh Th

That's the transliterated Hebrew alphabet. The Shema, for example, actually starts:

ShMA YSRAYL, ADNY ALHNV, ADNY AChD...

Dageshes/vowels were added later to ease pronunciation. Pointed consonants, really, rather than vowels.

My post above was in answer to this post, I should have included it, sorry.

 

[sidhe]

My post above was in answer to this post, I should have included it, sorry.

Oh, then to clarify, the Jewish position (and reasoning behind the "G-d" spelling) has nothing to do with Hebrew spelling and everything to do with respect for the name of God. As the name is to be treated with respect, it should not be written out in case the paper it is upon is sullied in some way.

Of course, in Judaism there isn't really a concept of "Hell," so it wouldn't be a matter of punishment, just something more to atone for.