25. The Name of God

6:2 When saying a blessing, a person’s mouth should not have food, gum, or even saliva in it. As Psalms 71:8 says, “Let my mouth be filled with Your praise.” God’s praise should fill our mouths, not share the space the foreign objects.

6:3 One may not pronounce the Name of God in vain. The Torah commands us (Deuteronomy 28:58) to show His Name the reverence it is due. Accordingly, one should not pronounce a Divine Name except when saying blessings, praying or studying Torah. When we do pronounce it, we should do so with awe, as it is actually a very serious matter, deserving of our full attention when called for. This is true not only of the Tetragrammaton (the four-letter Name that we pronounce “Adonai” when praying and “Hashem" in conversation; the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch is quick to point out that saying “AdoShem” is incorrect) but of every Name that refers to God, even in languages other than Hebrew. Cursing another person using the Name of God or one of His attributes (e.g., the Mighty One) is forbidden in any language. Accordingly, suggesting that God “damn” someone would be a violation of halacha. (Even to do so without the use of God’s Name is forbidden if He is understood as the subject.) The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch speaks harshly against those who sign their letters with “adieu,” as this includes the Name of God in French and such correspondence frequently ends up in the trash. Similarly, we should not play fast and loose with the Name of God in English. If a person is accustomed to misuse (or, worse, abuse) the Name of God, he must work hard to overcome this habit.