<![CDATA[Ask Noah Q&A Forum - Respect for G-d's Names (T)]]>

<![CDATA[Ask Noah Q&A Forum - Respect for G-d's Names (T)]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/ Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:20:53 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Cursing one's enemies]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=3385 Fri, 17 Apr 2020 21:03:27 +0000 John]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=3385

Dear Director Michael,

I found a listing on an Orthodox Jewish job search website that was looking for a “...Baal Shem, Tzidik, Rav or other person capable of cursing [his] enemies...” I assume this is just a misspelling of tzadik.

Is such a thing done in Orthodox Judaism? Is it encouraged? What about for Noahides?

It all seems very non-ideal to my thinking...why wouldn't someone just figure out the way that HaShem *really* wants him to live his life and go from there, trusting that He will take care of the enemies part of the picture as long as that man takes care of his own domain? I'm not saying the person definitely is wrong to ask for such a thing. I'm only telling you the questions that came to mind.

I tremble to think about what could happen to the enemies of G-d. I also suspect that a “punishment” from G-d in this world could be a great blessing for them as it might encourage the separate but related processes of repentance and atonement, hopefully sparing them from Gehinnom. Is this right?

Thank you,

John]]>

Dear Director Michael,

I found a listing on an Orthodox Jewish job search website that was looking for a “...Baal Shem, Tzidik, Rav or other person capable of cursing [his] enemies...” I assume this is just a misspelling of tzadik.

Is such a thing done in Orthodox Judaism? Is it encouraged? What about for Noahides?

It all seems very non-ideal to my thinking...why wouldn't someone just figure out the way that HaShem *really* wants him to live his life and go from there, trusting that He will take care of the enemies part of the picture as long as that man takes care of his own domain? I'm not saying the person definitely is wrong to ask for such a thing. I'm only telling you the questions that came to mind.

I tremble to think about what could happen to the enemies of G-d. I also suspect that a “punishment” from G-d in this world could be a great blessing for them as it might encourage the separate but related processes of repentance and atonement, hopefully sparing them from Gehinnom. Is this right?

Thank you,

John]]> <![CDATA[Blasphemy and False Oaths]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=2035 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 05:16:13 +0000 J48484]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=2035 <![CDATA[Atheism is blasphemous, what to do?]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=2003 Thu, 24 Dec 2015 21:01:46 +0000 Leopold]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=2003
The commandment against blasphemy implies a positive commandment to believe in Hashem. This is a majority view, and we are obligated to believe in many attributes of Hashem.

Only, well, I'm an atheist. I've evaluated the evidence for claims of any supernatural phenomenon, and the balance seems to be against it. Of course I keep looking, and of course I can be wrong, but I don't expect a change. It seems impossible - not hard and painful, but outright physically impossible - for me to fulfil my obligation of belief. What should I do?

Now why do I consider halacha binding in the first place, since I don't believe it has divine origins? That's a good question and I don't have all the answers, but I'm impressed with its beauty and complexity and how well it fits human psychology, regardless of where it's from.

Thanks for any advice.]]>
The commandment against blasphemy implies a positive commandment to believe in Hashem. This is a majority view, and we are obligated to believe in many attributes of Hashem.

Only, well, I'm an atheist. I've evaluated the evidence for claims of any supernatural phenomenon, and the balance seems to be against it. Of course I keep looking, and of course I can be wrong, but I don't expect a change. It seems impossible - not hard and painful, but outright physically impossible - for me to fulfil my obligation of belief. What should I do?

Now why do I consider halacha binding in the first place, since I don't believe it has divine origins? That's a good question and I don't have all the answers, but I'm impressed with its beauty and complexity and how well it fits human psychology, regardless of where it's from.

Thanks for any advice.]]> <![CDATA[Love and Fear of G-d]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=2001 Wed, 23 Dec 2015 00:53:04 +0000 Hrvatski Noahid]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=2001
From the Divine Code (p 268, topic 1):

"Gentiles are commanded to fear and honor G-d. This is included in the Torah's prohibition of blasphemy..."

Does this mean Gentiles are commanded to fear only G-d? Or is a Gentile allowed to fear other things as well (death, losing a loved one, evil men and so on)?]]>
From the Divine Code (p 268, topic 1):

"Gentiles are commanded to fear and honor G-d. This is included in the Torah's prohibition of blasphemy..."

Does this mean Gentiles are commanded to fear only G-d? Or is a Gentile allowed to fear other things as well (death, losing a loved one, evil men and so on)?]]> <![CDATA[How is blasphemy committed?]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=1882 Wed, 01 Aug 2012 20:23:20 +0000 amenyahu]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=1882 It's just strange that this law seems impossible to both keep and break. Is this a law that is only meant for the Messianic Age? Or am I misunderstanding?]]> It's just strange that this law seems impossible to both keep and break. Is this a law that is only meant for the Messianic Age? Or am I misunderstanding?]]> <![CDATA[Appropriate choices of Names for speaking of G-d]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=606 Sat, 25 Jun 2011 15:41:07 +0000 patrick eirenn]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=606 <![CDATA[G-d's Name in books]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=453 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 06:24:36 +0000 Mark]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=453 <![CDATA[Names of G-d in idolatrous texts]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=413 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:54:27 +0000 Teodor]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=413
Sh'lom dear Director Dr. Schulman and revered Academy Rabbis,

if a BN gets in his/her posession (in a legal way) a book of a particular idolatrous religion, which believes in a false messiah and is based on the Torah therefore occasionally mentioning G-d's Name(s) and he/she wishes to destroy it in order to keep others from reading it, what is the proper way to do so?

Best regards, thank you for your time
and happy Shavuot!]]>
Sh'lom dear Director Dr. Schulman and revered Academy Rabbis,

if a BN gets in his/her posession (in a legal way) a book of a particular idolatrous religion, which believes in a false messiah and is based on the Torah therefore occasionally mentioning G-d's Name(s) and he/she wishes to destroy it in order to keep others from reading it, what is the proper way to do so?

Best regards, thank you for your time
and happy Shavuot!]]> <![CDATA[Greeting with "Sh'lom aleichem!" (Peace to you!)]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=268 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:01:08 +0000 Teodor]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=268
Sh'lom dear Director Michael and Academy Rabbis,

I have following questions:
1. Is a Noahide allowed to greet another person (a Jew or an observing Noahide) with "Sh'lom aleichem!"
2. If a Noahide had said the word "Sh'lom" as a greeting to someone while at the same time the door of the bathroom was open, should one repent since it says about G-d, "You are Peace/Sh'lom and Your Name is Peace/Sh'lom"?

Thank you! Best regards
Teodor]]>
Sh'lom dear Director Michael and Academy Rabbis,

I have following questions:
1. Is a Noahide allowed to greet another person (a Jew or an observing Noahide) with "Sh'lom aleichem!"
2. If a Noahide had said the word "Sh'lom" as a greeting to someone while at the same time the door of the bathroom was open, should one repent since it says about G-d, "You are Peace/Sh'lom and Your Name is Peace/Sh'lom"?

Thank you! Best regards
Teodor]]> <![CDATA[G-d's Names on jewelry]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=241 Sat, 21 Feb 2009 01:35:58 +0000 jamesmoore]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=241 <![CDATA[Why do some say "HaShem"?]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=103 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 05:55:59 +0000 saidjake]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=103 Thanks,
Jake]]> Thanks,
Jake]]> <![CDATA[Written Divine Names]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=71 Sun, 05 Aug 2007 14:48:34 +0000 Donny]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=71

Quote:If one has a document that contains a name of G-d but which is no longer needed, it is best to set it aside in a safe place so that it will not be thrown into the garbage, etc. When one accumulates a number of such items and they need to be disposed of, it is considered to be appropriate to respectfully bury them, so they will decompose within the ground.

from your webpage, https://asknoah.org/faq/writing_out_G-o-d .

I just noticed that in my local newspapers and phonebooks they sometimes write out G-d in certain articles and advertisements. Also I have some old catalogs from Artscroll that has examples of pages of books which have The Name written out. Can I dig a hole in my backyard and bury these items that I no longer need? How does one respectfully bury these items?

I thought I've heard that they can be burned also. Can I burn these articles in a fireplace or such?

Is there a prayer that would be appropriate to recite when disposing of such items? I know that HaShem is aware of my thoughts, words and actions at all times but would like to verbalize that I'm not trying to desecrate His Holy Name.

Thanks,
Donny]]>

Quote:If one has a document that contains a name of G-d but which is no longer needed, it is best to set it aside in a safe place so that it will not be thrown into the garbage, etc. When one accumulates a number of such items and they need to be disposed of, it is considered to be appropriate to respectfully bury them, so they will decompose within the ground.

from your webpage, https://asknoah.org/faq/writing_out_G-o-d .

I just noticed that in my local newspapers and phonebooks they sometimes write out G-d in certain articles and advertisements. Also I have some old catalogs from Artscroll that has examples of pages of books which have The Name written out. Can I dig a hole in my backyard and bury these items that I no longer need? How does one respectfully bury these items?

I thought I've heard that they can be burned also. Can I burn these articles in a fireplace or such?

Is there a prayer that would be appropriate to recite when disposing of such items? I know that HaShem is aware of my thoughts, words and actions at all times but would like to verbalize that I'm not trying to desecrate His Holy Name.

Thanks,
Donny]]> <![CDATA[Writing B''H or BS"D at the top of a page]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=36 Wed, 11 Jul 2007 19:09:49 +0000 ProudNoachide]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=36 I notice when you send a note, you put B''H. What does it mean, and when, if ever, is it appropriate for us Noahides to put that on our notes or emails (or which notes)?
Thank you!]]> I notice when you send a note, you put B''H. What does it mean, and when, if ever, is it appropriate for us Noahides to put that on our notes or emails (or which notes)?
Thank you!]]>