Pronouncing the Tetragrammaton

Question

Hi Rabbi, is it true that the Tetragrammaton was always pronounced until the time of the Massoretes who wrote it with vowels to hide the real pronunciation?

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Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    The Tetragrammaton 4-letter “essential” Name of God was pronounced only in the Temple and only at certain times.

    Our Sages teach, based on a verse – this is My Name la’olam (which means bother forever and hidden) – that the way that God’s name should be pronounced in general is not the way that it is written. The pronunciation of His Name should be hidden.

    I’m not quite sure what you mean by “writing it with vowels,” but the correct pronunciation of this Name has been lost to us over time since it is no longer permitted to be spoken.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team