Ask The Rabbi!!

[TomHagen]

Originally Posted by BillyCigars

Great thread idea!!

This question always perplexed me and now I have a way to "Ask The Rabbi"!

If God's name isn't "God", then why do Jews often (in writing) censor the word and keep it at "G-d"? I understand that it comes from not uttering His name but always wondered why, when after all, it's not His name..

Thanks in advance!

Nice question, one that is frequently asked.

Jewish people refrain from calling G-d by His Name. He is alluded to many times in the Torah by different names, each of which only allude to an attribute of G-d. G-d is indefineable by a name, but when we refer to Him through our capacity of speech it should be with the highest reverence. Especially when referring to Him directly. G-t, is yiddish, and german for G-d. G-d is a derivation from that. When one says G-d, or G-t, they are directly referring to G-d, so even though it is not his name, it is a direct reference.

Most observant Jews refer to G-d as HaShem (hebrew), "The Name" or Aibishster (yiddish) "the Most High", thereby referring to G-d in an indirect way, but implicitly referring to Him. In prayer & reading the Torah only, we refer to G-d by His Holy Name(s)