For Orthodox Jews?

Question

I am aware of the venerable Jewish tradition that once written, the name of G-d can never be destroyed. Now, I've begun to abbreviate His Name in questions I ask Jews because: in opening a question in Yahoo answers, a temporary copy of the question is downloaded into your browser cache (thus "re-writing" the question). By closing out of that question, as far as I know, that copy is deleted from the cache, or at least slated for deletion.

Perhaps I'm just ignorant of how the technology works, but has this ever been addressed by your Rabbis?

Answer 1

Yes. Don't write the name.

To elaborate: I am almost unsure of your question. Are you writing the word G-d and are afraid that this is the word that is getting destroyed? Or are you writing an actual name of G-d, such as Ad-nai, and this is the name that is getting destroyed?

Well, here are two things that are to be brought to light here: first, G-d is not a name of G-d. It is a title. Religious Jews usually write G-d just as a precaution, to make absolutely sure they are not taking G-d's name in vain or that G-d's name is not being destroyed. Where possible, HaShem is used, as it's translation is literally "The Name" and can be erased. So, if you are writing G-d in your questions, it's okay that it is getting deleted.

However, if you are writing the sacred names in your questions--there's only one way to remedy this, and it's to not write the name. Replace it with G-d or HaShem or something.

I'm sure it has been addressed by our rabbis, but this technology doesn't present any new problems than when they invented paper or pencil. Things are going to get deleted or thrown away--the only way we can make sure they are properly respected when they are out of our care is to not put ourselves in that situation in the first place, by not writing the name.

Another school of thought states that since cyberspace technically doesn't exist, in typing the name you never physically wrote it in the first place, so deleting it from an imaginary place is not such a big deal.

As a side note, Tisha B'Av is NOT a High Holiday. We can use computers today, although it is much easier for us to spend a piece of the day napping, when our hunger pains are greatest.

Answer 2

I've always wondered about the general theme.

Regarding copying it is fine since all there is being recorded is a code 101000101 or whatever. You could invent a meaningless code and if no one ever uses it to refer to God then it is fine. If Robots begin to converse with it then it would bring up an issue.

I am more curious about other digital things such as having your laptop display (yet closed) a holy thing in an unholy place e.g. washroom.

Answer 3

Yes it has, 2 issues need to be discussed.
1) if writing 'God' is considered G-d's name that can't be erased or is it only the hebrew version
2) Whether even if written in hebrew, in its proper spelling, on a computer can it be erased.

The prevailing opinion seems to be that you should if possible write G-d and that on a computer it isn't a problem because the prohabition is only when actually "written" and this isn't considered writing. If you want more info shoot me an email.

Answer 4

You are asking a question direct to very observant jews on holiday. You ain't gonna get a response for anyone who is truely religious today, today is Tisha B'av

Answer 5

Nothing is deleted from your computer hard drive, but if you "delete," you are giving the computer permission to write over that area.