- All the Questions
Name of G-d Eloha or Elohim
Question
what does the name of G-d Eloha mean?
Answer
I asked your question to Rav Yoel Bin-Nun who specializes in such fields, and he explained as follows: E-l literally means power and could, and was, also (!) used by the idolaters as a nickname for an individual created power (not the Creator). The plural of el is elim (powers or gods), and not “E-lohim”. On the other hand, the Torah begins “Breishit bara E-lohim…”, which sounds like plural (with the “im” ending), because it refers to the One and Only monotheistic G-d, who created, harmonizes and davka (!) unites all of the powers which superficially appear as different and contrasting. We in Israel, declare His Oneness using this name in the Shma: “’E-lohenu’ is One”, and not “Elenu”. The singular of E-lohim is: E-loha, and this could be used to stress the Oneness even more then the seemingly plural: E-lohim, without the limitations and “many-ness” (of each individual power) which could be inferred by: E-l.
Accordingly, the Rambam usually prefers the more singular sounding, E-loha, as opposed to E-lohim, perhaps because the latter (which sounds plural) is used by the Christians to connote their mistaken trinity, and perhaps because of the similarity to his native language, Arabic, where the monotheistic Al-lah, is more exactly translated to the similar: E-loha. The Tanach, on the other hand, believes in the total Unity of E-lohim with such monotheistic clarity, that it usually uses E-lohim more than E-loha, to davka stress the Unity without suspecting any kind of confusion or plurality.
Alternatively, the Sforno (intro. p. 29) explains that E-loha stresses “eternity”, and E-l stresses decisiveness, capability, and active will.
Rav Ari Shvat (Chwat)

Lashon Hara and Performance Appraisals
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 2 Elul 5764
Genesis 24: 2-9 – Put your hand under my thigh
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Tevet 26, 5770

Bracha on water
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | Cheshvan 16, 5769

Questions
Rabbi David Sperling | Kislev 4, 5784

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

Orlah fruit trees
Adar I 5, 5771

A Day is a thousand years
Adar I 23, 5771

Ayin hara and Rambam
Tevet 28, 5771

Bircat baalat habayit 2
Adar I 23, 5771

Do Jews still tithe today?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Cheshvan 23, 5782

Mezzuzah for Non Jew
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 18, 5773

Mezzuzah for Non Jew
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 18, 5773

Jews murdering prophets
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tammuz 2, 5780

Acquaintances who support our enemies?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 7, 5784

Must I Delete Photos About Other Religions?
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Kislev 8, 5784

Children of a Converted Reform Woman
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 10, 5784
