Hashem

Hashem is a Hebrew term used in Judaism to refer to God. It translates literally as “the Name” and functions as a respectful circumlocution for the divine, particularly in contexts where the Tetragrammaton YHWH is considered ineffable or inappropriate to pronounce. The word appears in everyday speech, religious study, and liturgy as a way to speak of God without vocalizing the sacred name.

The practice stems from reverence for the divine names in Jewish tradition. Because the exact pronunciation of YHWH is not spoken aloud by many observant Jews, Hashem serves as a neutral, reverent substitute in conversation and prayer. In English-language translations of Jewish texts, Hashem is often rendered as “the Name” or simply as God, while some scholars use transliterations such as Yahweh for the Tetragrammaton in academic contexts.

Hashem is one of several designations for God in Judaism. Other common names include Adonai, Elohim, El Shaddai, and HaKadosh Baruch Hu. Each term carries different nuances and uses within liturgy, theology, and piety, but Hashem itself does not refer to a different deity; it is a linguistic convention that reflects attitudes toward sacred names and the reverence due to the divine.

In contemporary usage, Hashem can appear in both religious and more informal settings within Jewish communities, though many adherents maintain a heightened reverence for the divine names in all contexts.