A small question re something big :)

Everything about Leonard's 2006 book of poetry and Anjani's album
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wafflewaitress

A small question re something big :)

Post by wafflewaitress »

Hi there,
Discovered this wonderful site a while ago but never seem to get the time to come on as much as I'd like to! I bought Book of Longing a while ago and have only gotten round to starting it recently, almost finished now..What I want to ask is (and aplogies if this has been asked before) is why he writes G_d rather than God?..I'm thinking it's something to do with 'respect'?..or possible blasphemy or something?...And also if so, is this strictly something Jewish..or not?..

Lapsed Catholic myself, but haven't seen this before..
Cheers :)
Steven
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Joined: Tue May 03, 2005 12:32 am

Re: A small question re something big :)

Post by Steven »

Hi Waffflewaitress,

I don't know if writing out "God" as "G-D" is strictly Jewish, but only seem to remember it appearing
that way in writings of Jews who are orthodox or of some others who are otherwise reverent of the religion.
I think you hit it right with "respect." Also, it harkens back to prohibitions against uttering the Holy Names. Outside
of an actual prayer, it's a Jewish practice to subtitute "Ha Shem," which translates as "The Name,"
instead of using a name for God.
Vicomtesse
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Location: Brittany France

Re: A small question re something big :)

Post by Vicomtesse »

I notice that a lot of forum members write God as G-d. Maybe some of them have the answer.
When I was at school (a very long time ago) I was taught that the Hebrew language had no vowels and that the names of God: Yahweh the old Hebrew name and Jehovah might not have been translated correctly as the vowel sounds were guessed at. Please correct me anyone if I am wrong.
Perhaps this is a reason for no vowel in G-d. Just a guess though on my part and probably not very helpful!
It's an intriguing question though.
Vicomtesse
Last edited by Vicomtesse on Fri Jan 08, 2010 12:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Vicomtesse
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Re: A small question re something big :)

Post by Vicomtesse »

Just had a thought: if you haven't already found out the answer ask it on the Comments and Questions section. I'd like to know the answer as well.
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LisaLCFan
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Re: A small question re something big :)

Post by LisaLCFan »

Here's an answer to your question (found under the section for Leonard Cohen's poetry and novels), just click on the link:

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=19120

Cheers!
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mutti
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Re: A small question re something big :)

Post by mutti »

when I was a child and had to go to Hebrew School we were taught to write it that way...
has to do with not taking the name of God in vain...so if you write it G-d you are not really using the word.
That is my vague memory of it. Someone else may know more details of this.
Leslie
1988 Vancouver
2009 Victoria/Seattle/Almost Red Rocks/Las Vegas/San Jose.
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Cate
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Re: A small question re something big :)

Post by Cate »

I like when it's typed with the approximate sign - g~d
makes it or s/he seem less definitive.
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mutti
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Re: A small question re something big :)

Post by mutti »

and I admit I may be totally wrong on this... so if someone else has the answer please let us know.
Mutti
1988 Vancouver
2009 Victoria/Seattle/Almost Red Rocks/Las Vegas/San Jose.
2010 Sligo x 2/Victoria/Vancouver/Portland/Las Vegas x 2.
2012 Austin x 2/Seattle/Vancouver/Montreal x 2.
2013 Oakland x 2/New York City x 2/Winnipeg...
MaryB
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Re: A small question re something big :)

Post by MaryB »

Leslie,
Lisa's link is great. According to the info there, you got it! :D

Edit - It was Paula that gave us the detailed insight :D
1993 Detroit 2008 Kitchener June 2-Hamilton June 3 & 4-Vienna Sept 24 & 25-London RAH Nov 17 2009 NYC Feb 19-Grand Prairie Apr 3-Phoenix Apr 5-Columbia May 11-Red Rocks Jun 4-Barcelona Sept 21-Columbus Oct 27-Las Vegas Nov 12-San Jose Nov 13 2010 Sligo Jul 31 & Aug 1-LV Dec 10 & 11 2012 Paris Sept 30-London Dec 11-Boston Dec 16 2013 Louisville Mar 30-Amsterdam Sept 20
Cate
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Re: A small question re something big :)

Post by Cate »

Based on what I've seen posted here before Leslie you seemed pretty spot on (hehe I was going to put the same link).
That missing o is interesting and always leads to interesting discussion.
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