Why spell God as G-d?

Question

I see this but don't see the point, don't you think God can figure out the hyphen means 'o'?

What is the religious or traditional reason behind this?

NewYorkRose9
I can accept that God's name is holy, but the word God is his position not his name, and why would God think speaking His holy name is unholy?

Thanks to you Danielle, you have explained it for me very clearly and precisely for myself as a layman of religions

Shalom/peace

Answer 1

Among some traditional Jews, speaking even the word "Adonai" is avoided outside of worship or study. This "stand-in" for God's name is itself replaced by "Ha-Shem" ("The Name"). The practice also has been extended to other Hebrew words associated with God. For example, the Hebrew word "Elohim," which means "God" (the title, not God's name), is pronounced "Elokim" outside of prayer and study.

In recent years, some Jews have carried the practice even further by abstaining from writing the English word "God" and substituting the spelling, "G-d" or "Gd." However, there is no prohibition in Jewish law from writing "God" in any language other than Hebrew. In fact, there is an often repeated story about Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, z"l, one of the foremost authorities of Modern Orthodoxy, who intentionally would write and erase the word "God" (in English) on the blackboard in front of his students at Yeshiva University in order to emphasize the fact this is not prohibited by Jewish law.

Some Reform Jews observe the custom of spelling God as "G-d." Most do not. In any case, it would be inappropriate and opposed to Jewish values to correct or shame a person for keeping this practice if it is done out of respect and reverence for God.

L'Shalom,
Rabbi Jeffrey W. Goldwasser"

Answer 2

WHY IS GOD SPELLED G-D?

Because the name of God is so holy, in Hebrew there are several ways to say God's without profaning the name itself, which is not to be said aloud. Ha'shem or Adonai are examples of words used to refer to God. Out of respect to Orthodox and very pious, or devout Jews, the word God is frequently spelled in English as G-D. I wanted to make the Under the Wings of G-D series acceptable not only to the many non-Orthodox Jews but to Orthodox and Chassidic Jews as well.

Answer 3

pointing out the real call of God gives you one super means, and the pronunciation is saved secret. historic Hebrew does no longer have vowels, and so the real pronunciation become surpassed on by ability of the severe Priest to his successor, and then in easy terms uttered as quickly as a 12 months. The Jews in rituals might say "Adonai" while they encountered the notice ???? Adonai later morphed into Jehovah. the present use of "G-d" is a ritual and sign of appreciate, an acknowledgment that The call is Holy. The call is to no longer be written casually, and additionally they use a hyphen to illustrate mindfulness of this.

Answer 4

Jewish people sometimes do that, as traditionally the vowels weren't included in any part of the Hebrew Old Testament.

Answer 5

I've always done this, so as to avoid having to erase the word with the "o" in it.

Answer 6

For the same reasons that anti-religious groups spell Christmas....Xmas. Or say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. For fear of offending someone.

Answer 7

I never could figure that out either, usually leaving out a letter means it's a curseword that the system won't allow.

Answer 8

Out of respect.

btw anyone ever see this site?
awesome for spiritual growth.

http://www.heavensregister.co.uk/home/

Answer 9

No, God may wonder whether God or Davil

Answer 10

Because it makes people feel special.

It serves no purpose since "God" is a generic label and is not a name of any kind. It's pointless to even capitalize it since it is like "human" or "dog."