Shalom, Y'all! as we say here in the Lone Star State (that would be Texas, USA).

I have a question for anyone who care to answer. But first, please understand that I mean no disrespect when asking this, only I seek to better understand. My question is this: Why do so many (but not all) Jews use the spelling "G-d" when writing? I understand the whole not writing the Name of HaShem, but surely the english word "god" is not HaShem's name. It is merely an inpropper noun, a genus if you will. Doesn't the admonition against writing the Name of HaShem describe the Ineffible Name Of HaShem, not the word "god" which only describes what kind of being He is? And if not, if the admonition is to be taken to mean the word "god" (when used in refernce to HaShem), then should we not also spell HaShem as "H-S--m"? Or Adonai as "A----i"? I am just curious about this. I can not see where the line is. Any help any of you could provide would be appreciated. Good day to you all!

k.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dkbengel,

A fascinating question. Etymologically speaking, TheName originated as the Tetragram we see in the Beloved Torah. Then, in order to prevent blasphemy and the like, we stopped using the word at all, and it wsa replaced with Adonai - MyLord(s). That, however, became the new "God's Name," if you will, and so it had to be replaced, except in special circumstances with Hashem.

Now, not even that is far enough away. Some people write it as merely a Hey; the letter, that is. Then, the next natural progression in this concatenation seems to be the widespread Dalet, as the Hey is still too holy.

And now we should miss out letters in English? For what purpose? "God" is not His name, in the same way as "President" is not George W. Bush's name; it is the label with which he is usually identified, as it a word which describes him.

Some say that out of respect we should put in the dashes. Here in England, I even have a friend who is (needlessly) agonising over whether he should spell out His name in the secular exams he will be taking soon, which will be crucial in his University application. I'm afraid I simply don't see how missing out a letter shows respect. I highly doubt there is a halachic basis - if there is, then it is countered by many who absolutely condone it.