THE SANCTITY OF G-DS NAME; RULES FOR WRITING, READING AND DISPOSAL

בס”ד

Fear and honor G-d

Every person, Jews and non-Jews are command to fear, and honor, G-d.¹  We see this reflected in the prohibition against blasphemy, which applies to all of humanity. This is stated in Leviticus 24:15 

Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.

אִישׁ אִישׁ כִּי-יְקַלֵּל אֱלֹהָיו, וְנָשָׂא חֶטְאוֹ.

The Hebrew verse states: “ish ish” (“any man”) who curses his G-d shall bear his sin. Why the double expression of “ish ish” (literally: “a man, a man”)? To include all mankind, Jews and Gentiles.²³

The primary reason for the prohibition of blasphemy is the obligation to honor and fear G-d. Any act that desecrates G-d’s Name is forbidden. It is widely known in Judaism that one should not utter the explicit Names of G-d in everyday conversation. However, when reading the Tenach, which contains G-d’s Names, or during prayer, it is permitted to pronounce them—except for the Tetragrammaton.

Using G-d’s Names in unsuitable places

It is prohibited to utter an explicit Name of G-d in prayer if one is in an undignified place, such as:

• a restroom,
• a location with idols, or
• an environment where people are immodestly dressed.⁴

Writing G-d’s Names

What is less commonly known is that one should also avoid writing G-d’s explicit Names unless absolutely necessary. This is because of the risk that these Names might be erased or destroyed, which is strictly forbidden. Destroying holy Names or writings is a dishonor to G-d and profanes His Name. It is similarly forbidden to write holy Names without a justified reason.⁵

Respectful treatment of sacred texts

Sacred texts containing G-d’s explicit Names must always be treated with respect. When such texts are no longer usable, they cannot simply be discarded. Synagogues often have special boxes where these texts are collected for proper handling. It is strictly forbidden to throw them in the trash.

If a non-Jew accidentally writes an explicit Name of G-d and cannot access one of these synagogue boxes, it is permissible to bury the paper in a respectful location, such as their garden or a forest. There is also an opinion that allows burning the paper.

Which Names are considered sacred?

The following Names of G-d are considered holy:

• The Tetragrammaton
• Ado-nai
• E-lohim
• E-lohah
• Sha-dai
• Tziva-ot
• Ehe-yeh
• Y-ah
• Any possessive forms, such as Elo-hecha

What to do in specific situations?

As explained above, it is forbidden to utter the explicit Names of G-d in unsuitable places like a restroom. However, since Judaism also requires respect for the written Names of G-d, the question arises: What should one do with a Tenach or prayer book containing these Names when, for instance, visiting a restroom in a restaurant or hospital?

1. In a public restroom:
   It is permitted to take a Tenach or prayer book with you, provided it is carefully covered with an extra covering that does not belong to the book itself.⁶ It is insufficient to cover it with your hand or clothing you are wearing.
2. In a private restroom:
   It is not allowed to take a Tenach or prayer book with you. In a private setting, there is no risk of theft or desecration, so it should be left in a respectful place outside the restroom.

Disposing of Christian Bibles

Many Christians may wish to dispose of their Christian Bibles. A common question is how to do so, given the prohibition against discarding sacred texts containing G-d’s explicit Names.According to Igrot Moshe, Yoreh De’ah 1:172 it is allowed and a Mitzvah to burn the Christian Bibles even if they contain names of G-d in any language (even hebrew letters).⁷

Summary

• Taking a prayer book or Tenach to the restroom:
  • In a public restroom,⁸ you may take it with you, provided it is covered with a separate covering.
  • In a private restroom, this is not permitted.
• Disposing of Christian Bibles with explicit Names:
  • It is good to burn them.

By Angelique Sijbolts
With thanks to Rabbi Tuvia Serber for his feedback

Sources:

1. Sefer HaChinich Commandment 432 ↩︎
2.  Sanhedrin 56a ↩︎
3. See for more information about the 7 Noahides Laws; UNDERSTANDING THE SEVEN NOAHIDE LAWS – Part 2 ↩︎
4. For more information on this topic see The Divine Code by Rabbi Moshe Weiner, Part I, topic 6:7 ↩︎
5. Minchat Chinuch Commandment 69, (in his Kometz Mincha) writes that one who erases G-ds’Name has done no less of a transgression than one who mentions His Name in vain, and both are thus clearly forbidden for non-Jews. (The Divine Code by Rabbi Moshe Weiner, 4e edition, Part II, Footnote 59 p. 218) ↩︎
6. There are different opinions among the rabbis wether  you need one covering or two coverings. All based on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, 43:7 and commentaries ↩︎
7. Igrot Moshe, Yoreh De’ah 1:172, based on the Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 6:8, and Gittin 45b) ↩︎
8. There are different opinions among the rabbis weather you need one covering or two coverings. All based on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, 43:7 and commentaries ↩︎

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