Jewish Names of God

The names of God in Judaism are often considered so holy that even to write or speak them is to corrupt them with our human imperfections and our inadequacy to approach that Holy One who stands above all else.

Some communities of Jews will distinguish between the names of God as such, the ones that he has spoken and named Himself, from the names that we have given to Him to describe our limited understanding of Him. Often Jews will refer to the name of God rather than speak or write it.