Ask The Rabbi!!

Originally Posted by TanithT

Rabbi, is it considered wrong or insulting for non-Jews to spell out the name of G-d without using the hyphen? Or is this a stricture only for Jews, like keeping kosher?

I can answer this one.

G-d's name is Holy so we dare not write it out. If you were to have journals, papers, books with it spelled out, as a praticing Jew, you would need to bury the articles with the name of G-d with a Jewish person when they die, you do not throw the name of HaShem in the garbage or shed them in the paper shreader.

We also do not speak his name, like HaShem Translates to "The Name" but is meant for G-d.

So, putting the hyphen is to give great respect as not to wipe/delete/blot out his name in case we need to dispose of the papers it is written on.

[TanithT]

Originally Posted by mi2az

So, putting the hyphen is to give great respect as not to wipe/delete/blot out his name in case we need to dispose of the papers it is written on.

Thanks for that answer. Which raises two more questions. One, how is that considered to apply to electrons on a screen? And two, is it considered insulting to people of the Jewish faith if a non-Jew writes the word "G-d" in what is for them a normal way, without the hyphen?

Originally Posted by TanithT

Thanks for that answer. Which raises two more questions. One, how is that considered to apply to electrons on a screen? And two, is it considered insulting to people of the Jewish faith if a non-Jew writes the word "G-d" in what is for them a normal way, without the hyphen?

That is a hard question. But for me, I have Gentile friends that I would say disrespect the Bible. They would lay it on the floor and turn the pages with there toes during a Bible study.

1) Jews do not let anything with the word of G-d on it touch the floor. If it does, we kiss the book for reverence.

2) As for electrons ? I am sure this was discussed about with the Rabbinical Authorities. I do not know what there final decision is or was on this topic.

3) As for a Gentile hyphen the word or not, I do not get upset, but I believe it would be frown upon since it is still the word of G-d.

[TanithT]

Originally Posted by mi2az

As for a Gentile hyphen the word or not, I do not get upset, but I believe it would be frown upon since it is still the word of G-d.

I would certainly not want to throw anyone's holy book on the floor, whether it be the Bible or the Bhagavad Gita. But is the average Jew likely to feel that I am being directly disrespectful to them if I write out the "g-word"? If so, I can try to remember not to do that during a conversation with a Jewish person.

Originally Posted by TanithT

I would certainly not want to throw anyone's holy book on the floor, whether it be the Bible or the Bhagavad Gita. But is the average Jew likely to feel that I am being directly disrespectful to them if I write out the "g-word"? If so, I can try to remember not to do that during a conversation with a Jewish person.

No, it would not be insulting to the average Jew, I am sure there would be some, a small group but the average Jew no. American Jews are pretty secular and would not care what you would do on your dime.

But if you write something or talk on something and your audience are knowledgeable religious Jews, then yes.


I know you would not throw the Bible on the ground, but would you lay on the ground using the floor as a table reading the bible ? That is a no-no in Judaism, It is not even suppose to touch the floor. If it does, we kiss the bible and put it back on the table if it falls to the floor.

Me sitting in front of my computer on the Shabbot would insult religious Jews here even in America since I am doing what is called "Work" typing away on the computer only because I am a Jew. I am not even suppose to do any form of commerce or carry money. That's why Jews DO NOT pass around a collection plate during religious services and there is a membership fee to join a Synagogue/Temple . Also, that is why real Religious Jews walk to Synagogue on Shabbot and not drive a car.

Its ok if your not a Jew since very strict Jews hire Shabbos Goys to do certain tasks on the Sabbath like turning on/off electrical lights in the synagogue.

A Goy is the Hebrew word for Gentile which only means Persons of other nations or non-Jews.

I hope that's not too much information for you. I can get off track sometimes.

[Bruins Fan]

Shabbos Goys, that was me when I was a kid, I lived next door to a Synagogue with a lot of Jewish family's in the neighborhood.
I used to get .50 from the Rabbi, he used to leave the coins on his desk for me.
Once in a while on the High Holy holidays when a lot of people were around some of the men would slip me dollar bills.
I used to do most of the neighborhood, one old lady used to give me apples to turn her gas off and on, another would send me to the chicken house to get chickens the day the rabbi killed them, I didn't like that job.
On a good week I could make $2.00 the year was 1959-60.

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by Bruins Fan

Shabbos Goys, that was me when I was a kid, I lived next door to a Synagogue with a lot of Jewish family's in the neighborhood.
I used to get .50 from the Rabbi, he used to leave the coins on his desk for me.
Once in a while on the High Holy holidays when a lot of people were around some of the men would slip me dollar bills.
I used to do most of the neighborhood, one old lady used to give me apples to turn her gas off and on, another would send me to the chicken house to get chickens the day the rabbi killed them, I didn't like that job.
On a good week I could make $2.00 the year was 1959-60.

Thanks for your help bro!

[TanithT]

Originally Posted by mi2az

if you write something or talk on something and your audience are knowledgeable religious Jews, then yes.

Thank you, I will keep that in mind in this thread.

I know you would not throw the Bible on the ground, but would you lay on the ground using the floor as a table reading the bible ? That is a no-no in Judaism, It is not even suppose to touch the floor.

I do not own a Bible, though I have read it (and many other religious works) as a cultural and historical reference. Putting any book on the floor would not occur to me, whether or not it was considered sacred by a particular cultural group. The floor is not the place for books.

As to the oh-so-casual Bible readers you mentioned who did think that the floor was the place for books, I suspect that they may have good intent, but completely lack any idea that the printed message of their religion should be treated as an icon. Perhaps they are focusing on the message itself and ignoring the medium, which to them is perishable and disposable and not of importance?

Also, that is why real Religious Jews walk to Synagogue on Shabbot and not drive a car.

What would a religious Jew do if they did not live within walking distance of a Synagogue?

I hope that's not too much information for you. I can get off track sometimes.

Thank you, your time is appreciated!

[Emjaysmash]

Originally Posted by TanithT

What would a religious Jew do if they did not live within walking distance of a Synagogue?

Most Religious Jews choose homes specifically based on distance from Shul (synagogue). It's one of the major factors in buying their homes.

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by TanithT

Thanks for that answer. Which raises two more questions. One, how is that considered to apply to electrons on a screen? And two, is it considered insulting to people of the Jewish faith if a non-Jew writes the word "G-d" in what is for them a normal way, without the hyphen?

I hope I cleared up the misrepresentations in the post, that would answer these questions. That's why I get paid the "big-bucks" as a Rabbi.

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by mi2az

I can answer this one.

G-d's name is Holy so we dare not write it out. If you were to have journals, papers, books with it spelled out, as a praticing Jew, you would need to bury the articles with the name of G-d with a Jewish person when they die, you do not throw the name of HaShem in the garbage or shed them in the paper shreader.

We also do not speak his name, like HaShem Translates to "The Name" but is meant for G-d.

So, putting the hyphen is to give great respect as not to wipe/delete/blot out his name in case we need to dispose of the papers it is written on.

Sorry but only some what you say is true.

One would not have to bury words unless written in the holy-tongue, Hebrew. They are not buried with people when they die. They are merely buried in/near a cemetery.

The hypenation is merely a sign of respect and care when using G-d's Name in any form.

Just trying not propogate more myth - we're here to set the record straight and add some clarity!