Shavuot Class 5: The Ten Commandments

[Fraidi1]

Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller begins a series on The Ten Commandments in this class.  In this class, Rebbetzin Heller speaks about the first of the Ten Commandments, Anochi, and the meanings of the verious Names of Hashem.  Where does the English name 'G-d' fit in with Hashems other names?  Is it preferable to use the word 'Hashem' or G-d' in our everyday speech?

[Tikvah]

I once read a Dennis Prager article were he suggested that it was better to say g-d then Hashem because by using the same term as the outside world we made it clear that it was the same g-d we were worshipping.

I disagree and think that the problem with using an English word is that it can sometimes be hard to separate the Torah meaning of that word from all the connotations we have picked up from the outside culture.

Although what term you use might often have a lot to do with to whom you are speaking.

Tikvah

[Edith1]

I think it would be preferable to use the word "Hashem" to refer to the Almighty, because it better represents what Jews believe is the nature of the Supreme Being. It shows that Hashem is beyond our understanding and can not be represented by a mere name.  G-d connotes the possibility that Hashem is just one of a number of G-ds that exist and just the one we recognize.