IT'S ALL IN THE NAME

G-D

 

 

 

A well known & admired Gather member 'Ryan Reid ' commented on my last article - bringing up the use of G-d instead of spelling the word out directly & he wrote:

"i find it interesting how it is written G-d rather than written out fully. I just learned the reason behind this not long ago. I just had never seen it in my daily life before"

My answer to Ryan ignited within my soul & I wrote back in commenting:

"Ryan - I just started writing G-d this way - after it became conscious to me again that relating to G-d is SO extraordinary & supernatural at the same time - than my humaness is unable to hold the awesomeness of that name. 

YHWH is also used to relate to G-d. Yahshua also for the Christ who has made everything complete & tangible to US! I could keep on - this ignites my fire "

 

AND so I am continuing on my discourse about using the spelling of G-d instead of spelling out the whole name as usually seen. First some background information.

Here are the generic reasons why:

• In order not to use the name for mundane purposes
• According to Jewish beliefs, any document that contains any of HaShem's names becomes holy & cannot be destroyed. To avoid accidentally destroying a document with any of these names, Jews modify the spellings
• It is an extreme way of showing respect
• The Jewish Bible commands utmost respect & awe to be given toward the name
• Some Reform & Conservative Jews often write "God" since it is not the actual name of God

 

It was custom based on the traditional practice in Jewish law to give the highest respect & reverence to the word & name of G-d. Never using G-d's name in vain.

However also, there is no prohibition in Jewish law against writing out or erasing the word "God" in English. But, many Jews have afforded the same use to the word "God" with the same degree of utmost respect as the Hebrew equivalents.

Also used among the Jewish is G!d.  in the same way, utilizing the exclamation point to portray the same unquantified respect & awe.

We know of the many names of "God" G-d. Many Hebraic names are used to this day & all convey the awe & majesty not only born out of tradition but out of love. Both used of the Jew & the Gentile to this day.

 

The Ancient Hebrew Name of G-d is: YHWH

This name is never pronounced out loud in Judaism. Even when used in Jewish liturgy & scriptural readings the reader will substitue the Hebrew word "Adonai".  Any book that contains the written name in Hebrew is never destroyed or erased, or damaged or thrown away - unless - given a proper burial in a Jewish cemetery.

The most important of G-d's Names is the four letter Name represented by the Hebrew letters Yod-Hei-Vav-Hei or YHVH. This is referred to as the Ineffable Name, the Unutterable Name, or the Distinctive Name. It relects that God's existence is eternal.

Adonai: This name of G-d is not spoken outside of prayer services because it is so closely related to the proper name of G-d.

HaShem: This is the word used in replacement of speaking the name of G-d. It literally means "the Name".

 

What we see here is the dramatic reverence toward G-d & the practiced discipline of not allowing oneself to become placent in terms of referring to G-d.

List Names of G-d:

• YHWH
• YHWH-Rapha: The Lord that Healeth
• YHWH - Yireh: The Lord will Provide
• YHWH - Nissi: The Lord our Banner
• YHWH - Shalom: The Lord our Peace
• YHWH - Roi: The Lord my Shepherd
• YHWH - Tsidkenu: The Lord our Righteouness
• YHWH - Shammah: The Lord is Present
• Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh: I Am That I Am
• Jehovah
• Yah
• YHWH Tzevaot
• Adonai
• Adir: Strong One
• Adon Olam: Master of the World
• Aibishter: The Most High
• Aleim: Elohim
• HaShem
• Adoshem
• Bore: the Creator
• El
• Elah
• Eloah
• Elohim
• Emet: Truth
• El Roi
• El Shaddai
• Elyon
• The Eternal One
• Shalom
• Shekhinah
• HaMakom
• HaRachaman: The Merciful One

 

As you can see from this unrefined list, there are many names given to G-d depending on where & when the name is used. Here in mass the we see that G-d's name is ever respected & encompasses a divine regard in all perspectives.

 

Now, to bring this back into today's light, I can see Yahshua the Christ, known in most Judeo Christian traditions as - Jesus Christ - has gathered all the wondrous names of G-d & brought them into completeness because he became G-d in the flesh for us.

Yahshua fulfilled all the law & traditions that had been passed down to the Jew & made them completed -  because of the final blood sacrifice paid for on the cross. Here death & sin were atoned for once & for all. The sacrifice of his blood purposely was given for all mankind & is the only redemptive power left in this world today.

 

In conclusion, to use G-d instead of "God" is a formality & show of respect in choice not of fear or law. It is an afforded homage to formulate a 'written & read' regard while in writing. A small token of respect toward a life long journey of my spirit with G-d's Spirit.

 

~~~~~

 

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