To: "Biblical Hebrew" <b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
Subject: Curious abut "G-d"
Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2002 17:55:17 -0800
Title: Message
I have a newcomer's
question. I've noticed that some of our participants -- presumably those
of a Jewish background -- use "G-d" in their emails, instead of spelling it
out completely. This may not be on topic, so please let me know if it
isn't, but I'm a bit curious about this usage, as I've seen it before, but never
quite understood what it was about. I'm obviously familiar with the
traditional circumlocutions regarding "hashem", but I'm wondering what the
motivation and understanding is for "G-d".
For instance, I'm
not aware that the Massoretes engaged in anything with regard to )LHYM similar
to what they did with the tetragrammaton. Is this a purely modern
adaptation? How do those who adopt this convention refer to the deity in
conversation? Or in more formal (say, academic) writing? Do Jewish
speakers of other languages -- say, French -- have any similar
conventions? And perhaps to the point, is there any objection if, as a
Christian, I spell "God" out?
I'm certainly not
trying to criticize -- I'm just curious.