Deleting the Name of God in the Computer
Question
Dear Rabbi,
I am interested in responsa regarding deleting the name of God when writing on a computer.
Thank you very much.
Answer
I found a very detailed responsum on this subject in Ateret Paz Responsa, by Rabbi Pinchas Zvichi (a contemporary scholar in Jerusalem). The reasoning behind allowing someone to delete God's name from the computer are as follows:
1) Pressing the "delete" button causes another action which causes the name to be erased. It is not done directly. Halakhah (Jewish law) allows indirect action in certain circumstances (principle of gramah).
2) There are no actual letters on the computer. There are only magnetic signs
that by electronic means become letters and words on the screen. There is no
sanctity in these signs; therefore deleting them is not the same as erasing
letters.
3) The letters on the screen are also not considered writing because they
only remain on the screen as long as the computer is on, and electricity makes
it work. As soon as you disconnect the computer, the letters cease to exist.
4) The person who is writing on the computer does not intend for the letters
to stay on the screen permanently. Therefore there is no sanctification
of words when writing on a computer.
There are very many halakhic precedents that Rabbi Zvichi quotes and discusses
to reach the conclusion that it is permitted to delete names on the computer.
His position is very strong. If you can read Hebrew I can send you the
exact source for further study.
I am sure some authorities are stricter. The Bar Ilan Responsa project, for
example, prints YDVD instead of the Tetragrammaton in Biblical verses,
ostensibly so that no one could have qualms about deleting or even exiting
from a text which includes God's name.
A general comment: as the Talmudic principle goes: al hamahmir lehavi
re'ayah - he who wishes to be more severe must offer proof for his position.
Often people prohibit in order to be conservative and not run any risk of
acting against Jewish law. Great scholars know when they can be lenient.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Diana Villa
Source: Responsa Ateret Paz, Part 1, Vol.2, Yoreh D'eah, Chapter
13, note 4.
