It's only one of the names of God that isn't pronounced, even if it is "known." There are other names for God. When you hear me say "Hashem," that just means "The Name." Scripture uses various names, Adonai, for example. It's only the Tetragrammaton that isn't pronounced. In emails, some of my friends write, L-rd or G-d so as not to spell out the name.
In Christianity, well, we know God's name, the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God. Even Saint John himself says, "No one has seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s bosom, who has made him known" (1.18ish).
In our tradition, HaShem’s name must never be uttered in vain, and seven of His sacred names are prohibited from being written on any surface that could potentially be erased or destroyed.
This principle reminds me of a profound teaching from the Talmud regarding the sanctity and concealment of God’s name. The Torah states:
"This is My name forever, and this is My memorial unto all generations"
(Exodus)
The Talmud (Pesachim 50a) interprets the word "forever" (לעולם, le’olam) as "to conceal" (לעלם, le’alem), underscoring the idea that the Divine Name is not to be spoken or treated casually.
Hashem is a funny one, though--both used biblically (Deut. 25.58) and also written out. If I recall, when the rabbis use Hashem, they quite often mean for it to signify God's merciful attributes.
In the western tradition (largely following Augustine), it would have been an angelic being. In the eastern tradition, yes, the pre-Incarnate Logos is as these various theophanies. Obviously, the Jewish exegetical tradition would not say it is the pre-Incarnate Logos, but an angelic messenger (for the most part).
Well, in the Jewish tradition there are multiple names for Him (see above). His name is not pronounced because of adherence to the laws of anti-idolatry and not taking the Lord's name in vain.
In the Christian tradition, God is named the Father, Holy God, Christ, Jesus, Son of the Father, the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth. There are really too many to list.
It's only one of the names of God that isn't pronounced, even if it is "known." There are other names for God. When you hear me say "Hashem," that just means "The Name." Scripture uses various names, Adonai, for example. It's only the Tetragrammaton that isn't pronounced. In emails, some of my friends write, L-rd or G-d so as not to spell out the name.
In Christianity, well, we know God's name, the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God. Even Saint John himself says, "No one has seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s bosom, who has made him known" (1.18ish).
In our tradition, HaShem’s name must never be uttered in vain, and seven of His sacred names are prohibited from being written on any surface that could potentially be erased or destroyed.
This principle reminds me of a profound teaching from the Talmud regarding the sanctity and concealment of God’s name. The Torah states:
"This is My name forever, and this is My memorial unto all generations"
(Exodus)
The Talmud (Pesachim 50a) interprets the word "forever" (לעולם, le’olam) as "to conceal" (לעלם, le’alem), underscoring the idea that the Divine Name is not to be spoken or treated casually.
Regards,
Thanks, Ab. Exactly right.
Hashem is a funny one, though--both used biblically (Deut. 25.58) and also written out. If I recall, when the rabbis use Hashem, they quite often mean for it to signify God's merciful attributes.
HaShem is a way to imply to Him, it means “the name” so He is mentioned without His name being uttered.
Does that suggest that on Siani it was Jesus Christ that interacted with Moses rather then the Father?
In the western tradition (largely following Augustine), it would have been an angelic being. In the eastern tradition, yes, the pre-Incarnate Logos is as these various theophanies. Obviously, the Jewish exegetical tradition would not say it is the pre-Incarnate Logos, but an angelic messenger (for the most part).
Do we then not truly know the real name of God, if it was so protected by the Jews?
Well, in the Jewish tradition there are multiple names for Him (see above). His name is not pronounced because of adherence to the laws of anti-idolatry and not taking the Lord's name in vain.
In the Christian tradition, God is named the Father, Holy God, Christ, Jesus, Son of the Father, the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth. There are really too many to list.
So there are names, and we truly know them.