GOD OR G-D?

[Today's writing I've turned over to Tom Stephens, a frequent contributor to Rapture Ready. And while this is a long article, I think it's worth it. I was curious about the difference -- or in modern slang, "wot the dif" -- between using "G-d" and "God" to name the Almighty. Maybe you are too. -- David]

　

Note: True Christians love Israel for obvious reasons noted in God’s Word. Please let it be understood that this document in no way intends to "slam Israelites," for that’s not possible─if we are really who we say we are in Christ Jesus.

Question: Why do Orthodox Jews substitute G-D, for GOD?

Answer: In our local assembly is a person most everyone identifies as "Jewish." He wears a salt and pepper beard and, on special occasions, the small cap you commonly see worn by Jews. He also has a prayer cloth he sometimes brings to the services as well and he carries a Jewish Bible.

Understandably, we look to him for information on Jewish history as depicted in the Old Testament.

One day I asked, "Brother, are you a true Israelite?"

"No." he replied. "I am not an Israelite, but I love Israel and I identify with them."

That was all fine and good, for we, the true church of Jesus Christ, bless Israel with our prayers, and many other forms of support. We are to, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" on a daily basis, and one day Jesus will bring the entire nation of Israel back to Him, "…and they will mourn because of Him."

Curiously, this brother spells God...G-d, and he spells Lord...L-rd in all his writings. I often wondered exactly why and his explanation was basically, "That’s the way Jews do it." Since that conversation I’ve come to learn the practice is founded, not in Scripture, but in tradition.

I’ve told you this much because I believe many modern day Christians, including those who are Messianic, have misunderstood just who they are in Jesus Christ and Who He is in them. Jesus does not want us to follow after the traditions of men, but rather be filled with the Spirit and manifest His perfect will in our daily lives.

Should we write God, G-D? I submit to you the following lesson taken from facts in the

Encyclopaedia Judaica and Jewish history and you can decide for yourself:

HIS name was Hananiah ben Teradion. He was a Jewish scholar of the second century C.E., and he was known for holding open meetings where he taught from the Sefer Torah, a scroll containing the first five books of the Bible. Ben Teradion was also known for using the personal name of God and teaching it to others. Considering that the first five books of the Bible contain the name of God more than 1,800 times, how could he teach the Torah without teaching about God’s Name?

Ben Teradion’s day, however, was a dangerous time for Jewish scholars. According to Jewish historians, the Roman emperor had made it illegal under penalty of death to teach or practice Judaism. Eventually, the Romans arrested Ben Teradion. At his arrest he was holding a copy of the Sefer Torah. When responding to his accusers, he candidly admitted in teaching the Bible, he was merely obeying a divine command. Still, he received the death sentence.

On the day of his execution, Ben Teradion was wrapped in the very scroll of the Bible he was holding when arrested. Then he was burned at the stake. The Encyclopaedia Judaica says, "In order to prolong his agony tufts of wool soaked in water were placed over his heart so that he should not die quickly." As part of his punishment, his wife was executed and his daughter sold to a brothel.

Although the Romans were responsible for this brutal execution of Ben Teradion, the Talmud (The Talmud is a compilation of ancient Jewish tradition and is regarded as one of the most sacred and influential written works of the Jewish religion.) states, "The punishment of being burnt came upon him because he pronounced the Name in its full spelling." Yes, to the Jews, pronouncing the personal name of God was indeed a serious transgression.

For the rest of the article, go with me to the Rapture Ready article where I found today's item:

http://www.raptureready.com/soap/stephens38.html