Saying "Shalom" in a bathroom

Hi,

Because "Shalom" is a Name of Gd, it should not be mentioned in an unclean place, or a place where people are found unclothed. However, one may call someone whose name is Shalom; in this context, it is not a Name of Gd.

(Rabbi Ephraim Greenblatt, Rivivot Ephraim 1:7:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

"Shalom aleichem" without a yarmulka

Hi,

One is not supposed to say "Shalom aleichem" without a yarmulka, because the word "Shalom" in the greeting is a reference to Gd ("Gd be with you").

However, many authorities permit a person to greet someone who lacks a yarmulka with "Shalom aleichem", despite the concern that this person will then respond in kind. One reason to permit it is to prevent strife when he fails to offer a greeting; another is because people who say "Shalom aleichem" tend not to think of "Shalom" as a Name of Gd in that context.

(Rabbi Ephraim Greenblatt, Rivivot Ephraim 1:7:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

HaShem's Name in English

Hi,

In non-Hebrew languages, only a word which is dedicated as a Name for HaShem counts as a name. In English, that only applies to the word "God", such that this word should not be said without purpose.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Yoreh Deah 1:172)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Missionary materials with Gd's Name

Hi,

Missionary materials produced to attract Jews to other religions, which include Gd's Name, do not have any sanctity, and may be erased or destroyed.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Yoreh Deah 1:172)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Removing Gd's Name from a Sefer Torah

Hi,

If a sefer torah should have had the word יהיה, but the scribe erroneously substituted a ו for the second י, so that it was actually the Name of Gd, then one cannot alter the word itself, because it may be considered a valid recording of the Name of Gd, which cannot be erased. Therefore, one ought to cut that word from the sefer torah [and put it in genizah], and replace it with a new piece of parchment on which יהיה is written.

Ideally, one should remove the Name of Gd with the two adjacent words, since they enjoy some extra sanctity due to their location beside the Name of Gd. However, where the passage was טמא יהיה, so that leaving the word טמא [impure] next to Gd's Name would make a blasphemous declaration, then one should not do this.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Yoreh Deah 1:170)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Writing "Shalom"

Hi,

The word "Shalom" is sometimes written as one of Gd's Names (which may not be erased), but it is not normally written with this intent.

Therefore:
One may write "Shalom" meaning "peace", without concern. However, one should not write it as part of a blessing, as in "Shalom uVerachah", if the text will be treated in a disgraceful way. Either way, it does not require burial, for it is not considered one of the unerasable Names of Gd.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 4:40:3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Erasing a recording that includes Gd's Name

Hi,

By the letter of the law, one may erase a magnetic tape recording that includes Gd's Name, since no visible letters are present. However, one should avoid doing so directly, because of appearances; one may cause it indirectly.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:31)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Substituting for Gd's Name in a pasuk

Hi,

One who reads a sentence of chumash out loud should read the entire sentence, and should read the Name of HaShem as part of it. Using a substitute for the Name of HaShem would constitute a corruption of the sentence.

However: One who is teaching children should use a substitute for the Name of HaShem, because there is often a need to interrupt the sentence for pedagogic purposes.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 2:56)

Have a great day,
Mordechai