בס”ד
Jews cherish a deep reverence for the Name(s) of G-d, a reverence rooted in the essence of their faith. In Exodus 20:7, we are commanded:
7You shall not take the name of the L-rd, your G-d, in vain, for the L-rd will not hold blameless anyone who takes His name in vain. | זלֹ֥א תִשָּׂ֛א אֶת־שֵֽׁם־יְ”הֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹ’הֶ֖קיךָ לַשָּׁ֑וְא כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יְנַקֶּה֙ יְ”הֹוָ֔ה אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־יִשָּׂ֥א אֶת־שְׁמ֖וֹ לַשָּֽׁוְא |
This goes beyond merely avoiding frivolous use of G-d’s Name in oaths, as some suggest. It is a deeply ingrained call to respect and fear His Name.
Maimonides, a great scholar in the Jewish tradition, clarifies that avoiding frivolity in the use of G-d’s Name stems from a deeply felt respect and awe. This respect forms the basis of Jewish life and extends to every aspect of interaction with the Name of G-d.
This reverent approach to G-d’s Name is not confined to spoken words but extends to written language as well. Writing the Name of G-d with a dash is an expression of respect and caution. It signifies the desire to protect the Holy Name from unintended or irreverent use, even in the most mundane contexts.
This profound reverence for the Name of G-d extends to all people, as evidenced by the Noahide Laws, in which the second commandment calls us not to blaspheme His Name and to approach Him with respect.
In this approach to the divine name lies a deep spiritual lesson for us all, a reminder of the holiness and grandeur of the divine, and a call to a life infused with respect, reverence, and love for the Creator.
By Angelique Sijbolts
Sources:
Why Don’t Jews Say G‑d’s Name? On the use of the word “Hashem” By Baruch S. Davidson
Why Don’t You Spell Out G-d’s Name? By Aron Moss
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