Ask the Rabbi
- Halacha
- G-d's Name and Holy Writings
- G-d's Name and Gnizza
- Torah and Jewish Thought
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Question
What does blessing the Divine Name mean?
Answer
Generally, the term "Birkat HaShem" (blessing the Name) is a euphemism for cursing G-d's name, which is a extremely serious offence in halacha. Apparently the rabbis wanted to imply that even the mention of cursing G-d is offensive, so the term "blessing the Name" was used.
Reading Jewish Books in bathroom
Rabbi David Sperling | Tevet 15, 5776
Erasing G-d’s name on an ebook reader
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | Iyyar 21, 5769
Throwing out things
Rabbi David Sperling | Kislev 4, 5784
