06-30-2011, 08:47 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-30-2011, 08:53 PM by Director Michael.)
The bad behavior you described is not the sin of blasphemy as it is defined in Torah Law. Blasphemy involves cursing a holy Hebrew Name of G-d.
The information below is quoted from "The Divine Code," 2nd Edition, by Rabbi Moshe Weiner of Jerusalem, p. 270-272:
Any mention of G-d’s Name for naught is forbidden, since this disgraces the honor of G-d, and one receives punishment from Heaven for this. Regarding this it is written [Exodus 20:7], "You shall not take the Name of G-d in vain; G-d will not hold guiltless one who takes His Name in vain" ... It is also said [Deut. 28:58], "To fear the honorable and awesome Name" – since from the obligation of fearing G-d, it is prohibited to mention His Name for naught. This applies specifically to the holy Names [in Hebrew] specified for Him (which may not be erased), and even His names in other languages (e.g., the name "G-d").
{It is noted there that some Torah-Law authorities hold that "a Divine name in another language (other than Hebrew) is considered an attributive name, and therefore does not infringe the [more serious] prohibition of mentioning G-d’s [holy] Name in vain."}
What is meant by mentioning G-d’s Name “in vain”? This means mentioning a Divine Name for no need at all.
One who curses any person with G-d’s Name in any language, whether he curses himself or others, or even a dead or evil person, has transgressed a prohibition, since he uses G-d’s Name in vain.
It is forbidden to mention any of the specified holy Names [of G-d in Hebrew] (which may not be erased), and even names for G-d in other languages, in a place where there is filth or in an undignified situation (for example, in a restroom or bathhouse, or where people are unclothed), since this is degrading to G-d’s Name.
However, to mention it in a way of praise or prayer is permitted. It is likewise permitted to bless one’s friend with G-d’s Name, by saying “G-d bless you,” and the like. Therefore, one who erred and mentioned G-d’s Name for no reason should immediately praise and give honor to Him, in order that the mentioning of His Name should not be in vain. For example, if one said “G-d,” he should immediately say, “Blessed is He forever,” or “Who is great and very exalted.”
A person should always honor G-d’s Name, in any language. When one does mention His Name, one should think about the reason and purpose for mentioning it, in order that it not be mentioned in vain...
When one wishes to bless and thank G-d, one should direct his thoughts and words in order to say words of thanks and praise to honor G-d’s Name. In this way the result will be that the Name of G-d is exalted, and not disgraced.
We see that Joseph acted in this way, where it says [Genesis 39:2-3], “And G-d was with Joseph and he was successful … And his master saw that G-d was with him, and all that he did, G-d made successful.” Rashi explains how Joseph’s master saw that G-d was with him: “The Name of G-d was fluent in Joseph’s mouth,” – i.e., he would constantly credit his success to G-d and publicize His Name, as Joseph said to Pharaoh [Genesis 41:16], “G-d will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” This was also the way of Abraham, to teach all the nations that it is fitting to praise and bless G-d’s Name alone, as it says, [Genesis 21:33], “and there he proclaimed the Name of G-d, G-d of the universe” – meaning that he caused all people he encountered to call (i.e., to pray and praise) in the Name of the Holy One, blessed be He, and he taught every person to pray to G-d and praise the Name of G-d.
The information below is quoted from "The Divine Code," 2nd Edition, by Rabbi Moshe Weiner of Jerusalem, p. 270-272:
Any mention of G-d’s Name for naught is forbidden, since this disgraces the honor of G-d, and one receives punishment from Heaven for this. Regarding this it is written [Exodus 20:7], "You shall not take the Name of G-d in vain; G-d will not hold guiltless one who takes His Name in vain" ... It is also said [Deut. 28:58], "To fear the honorable and awesome Name" – since from the obligation of fearing G-d, it is prohibited to mention His Name for naught. This applies specifically to the holy Names [in Hebrew] specified for Him (which may not be erased), and even His names in other languages (e.g., the name "G-d").
{It is noted there that some Torah-Law authorities hold that "a Divine name in another language (other than Hebrew) is considered an attributive name, and therefore does not infringe the [more serious] prohibition of mentioning G-d’s [holy] Name in vain."}
What is meant by mentioning G-d’s Name “in vain”? This means mentioning a Divine Name for no need at all.
One who curses any person with G-d’s Name in any language, whether he curses himself or others, or even a dead or evil person, has transgressed a prohibition, since he uses G-d’s Name in vain.
It is forbidden to mention any of the specified holy Names [of G-d in Hebrew] (which may not be erased), and even names for G-d in other languages, in a place where there is filth or in an undignified situation (for example, in a restroom or bathhouse, or where people are unclothed), since this is degrading to G-d’s Name.
However, to mention it in a way of praise or prayer is permitted. It is likewise permitted to bless one’s friend with G-d’s Name, by saying “G-d bless you,” and the like. Therefore, one who erred and mentioned G-d’s Name for no reason should immediately praise and give honor to Him, in order that the mentioning of His Name should not be in vain. For example, if one said “G-d,” he should immediately say, “Blessed is He forever,” or “Who is great and very exalted.”
A person should always honor G-d’s Name, in any language. When one does mention His Name, one should think about the reason and purpose for mentioning it, in order that it not be mentioned in vain...
When one wishes to bless and thank G-d, one should direct his thoughts and words in order to say words of thanks and praise to honor G-d’s Name. In this way the result will be that the Name of G-d is exalted, and not disgraced.
We see that Joseph acted in this way, where it says [Genesis 39:2-3], “And G-d was with Joseph and he was successful … And his master saw that G-d was with him, and all that he did, G-d made successful.” Rashi explains how Joseph’s master saw that G-d was with him: “The Name of G-d was fluent in Joseph’s mouth,” – i.e., he would constantly credit his success to G-d and publicize His Name, as Joseph said to Pharaoh [Genesis 41:16], “G-d will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” This was also the way of Abraham, to teach all the nations that it is fitting to praise and bless G-d’s Name alone, as it says, [Genesis 21:33], “and there he proclaimed the Name of G-d, G-d of the universe” – meaning that he caused all people he encountered to call (i.e., to pray and praise) in the Name of the Holy One, blessed be He, and he taught every person to pray to G-d and praise the Name of G-d.