leonardcohenforum.com

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

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.

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

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.

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!

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

I like when it's typed with the approximate sign - g~d
makes it or s/he seem less definitive.

and I admit I may be totally wrong on this... so if someone else has the answer please let us know.
Mutti

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

Edit - It was Paula that gave us the detailed insight

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.