Why "Yahweh" Isn't Used in Catholic Liturgy
Biblical Expert Says It Reflects Jewish Tradition
Why the tetragrammaton (YHWH) is not allowed in the Liturgy - Communio

JERUSALEM, NOV. 21, 2008 (Zenit.org) - To understand the Vatican directive reiterating that the name of God revealed in the tetragrammaton YHWH is not to be pronounced in Catholic liturgy, it helps to know the history behind the Jewish tradition, says a biblical expert.

Father Michel Remaud, director of the Albert Decourtray Institute, a Christian institute of Jewish studies and Hebrew literature, explained to ZENIT that the message published in June by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments reflects current Jewish practice.

The Vatican note explained: "The venerable biblical tradition of sacred Scripture, known as the Old Testament, displays a series of divine appellations, among which is the sacred name of God revealed in a tetragrammaton YHWH -- hwhw.

"As an expression of the infinite greatness and majesty of God, it was held to be unpronounceable and hence was replaced during the reading of sacred Scripture by means of the use of an alternate name: 'Adonai,' which means 'Lord.'"

Father Remaud said that "until almost the year 200 B.C., the divine name was pronounced every morning in the temple in the priestly blessing: 'The Lord bless and keep you: The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you'" (Numbers 6:24-26).

He said this blessing originated out of the context of the next verse in Numbers: "So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them."

Left unsaid

Furthermore, the priest said that the Mishna, the Jewish law codified toward the end of the second century, "specifies that the name was pronounced in the temple 'as it is written,' while another denomination (Kinuy) was used in the rest of the country. After a certain period, the divine name was no longer pronounced in the temple's daily liturgy.

"The Talmud leads one to understand that the decision was taken to avoid a magic use of the name by some."

According to Father Remaud's sources, ever "since the death of the high priest Simon the Righteous, about 195 B.C., the divine name was no longer pronounced in the daily liturgy."

The expert compared the Talmud's testimony with the Book of Sirach, which mentions Simon the Righteous in Chapter 50. Chapters 44-50 remember all "godly men" since Enoch, including Abraham, Moses and David.

Father Remaud said the seven-chapter passage ends with the high priest Simon pronouncing the divine name: "Then Simon came down, and lifted up his hands over the whole congregation of the sons of Israel, to pronounce the blessing of the Lord with his mouth, and to glory in his name; and they bowed down in worship a second time, to receive the blessing of the Most High" (Sirach 50:20-21).

7 Comments

By Brother Charles on November 25, 2008 10:37 AM

I was happy when this directive appeared; to me it has always been a no-brainer and so I have always been uncomfortable with the "attempts" to pronounce the divine name in some contemporary Catholic music, and especially in the spurious psalters we were compelled to use for homemade divine office that was forced upon us as brothers in formation.

May this be a sign of a further return to a cultural of reverence and "fear of the Lord!"

By Paul Zalonski on November 25, 2008 10:53 AM

Thanks for the comment. I think you're correct: this teaching is rather important when we consider that we don't make ourselves and that God deserves our highest form of respect. Our Jewish inheritance should continue to impact our Catholic Liturgy. Was this ever spoken of at Weston? I don't remember it. The formation into religious life is another ballof wax: often was is proposed for formation is trite and built on disobedience. Ever wonder why some religious orders don't get the vocations they "should" be getting given the beauty of the charism?

By Theofane on November 26, 2008 2:33 AM

There seems to be some conflict between the English YHWH and the smaller case interpretation. The upper case one is correct: Yod, He, Waw (or Vaw) He, which is what the Hebrew letters mean.

By Paul Zalonski on November 26, 2008 6:46 AM

Right, the upper case is the correct form; I've never seen the lower case usage but I am also not looking for it either. Is the lower case form used in the same way/reason as the upper case?

By brother Charles on November 26, 2008 3:40 PM

My Jewish father taught me to always use "small caps." Fortunately, MS Word has this setting.

By Paul Zalonski on November 26, 2008 3:59 PM

Makes sense. NOW, I wonder what parishes are doing to make this teaching known to the people of God. What's the catechesis going to be, and when? It's been how many since the Pope spoke to this issue and I have seen precious little in the bulletins and diocesan news outlets.

By James on October 1, 2010 1:48 PM

YHWH- Elohim's name! Why cant we say YAHUAH! Do not forget his name! It is not god/lord! Where does the the catholic church get the authority to not say the name?

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