In Judaism, and especially in the Kabbalistic interpretation of Judaism, a great deal of emphasis is put on the Names of G-d. In Tanakh and Talmud, there is but one ultimate Name; the four letter ineffable Name. It is forbidden to be pronounced except by the Kohanim in the Temple. Twice in the Tanakh is the Name used with the word "L'Olam" (forever), which can also be read as "L'Elom" (to be hidden). This is by no means a merely rabbinic concept. Even heretical groups like the Samaritans and the Karaites refuse to pronounce the Name. (On line version of Karaism encourages the pronunciation of the Name, calling the refusal to do so a "rabbinic conspiracy".). This Name is known in rabbinic literature as Shem Hameforash" (the Explicit Name). There is also the Name Ado-nai (My L-rd) which substitutes for the Explicit Name, and is able to be pronounced with reverence during prayer and study. It is sometimes known as the "Special Name".There are several other names which describe His attributes and actions. Altogether, there are seven Names (ten if we include variations) which are sacred. A scribe, before writing any of them, must make a verbal statement before writing them "I am writing for the sake of the sanctification of the Name". An oath is valid if said in the name of any of these. Besides this, there are many descriptive names (great, mighty, awesome) which are not seen as having any special sanctity.
In Kabbalah, there are many names, and there are no names. The essence of G-d (Ein Sof; the Infinite) has no name. A Name imparts an understanding. We understand nothing on the level of Infinity. With creation, we begin to have a perception of G-d. The Explicit Name is actually a diagram of the manifestation of Ein Sof in the created Universe. The letter Yod is the seminal point, Heh is an expansion of that point in the highest levels, Vav is a drawing down of the Light through descending worlds, and the final Heh is the expansion which fills OUR world. Letters represent energies. Letters can combine to make words that have apparent meaning. But they also can combine in apparently meaningless ways, that nevertheless convey great mysteries and power. The Explicit Name can be spelled out in various ways (e.g. a Heh can be spelled out Heh Aleph, Heh Yod, Heh Heh). These "Expansions" of the Name form four forms of the Name, which are manifest in each of the four worlds (Emanation, Creation, Formation, Action) and are described by the total numeric equivalents of their spelling (72, 43, 45, 52). Besides this, there are numerous other "Names" which have no meaning within themselves, but represent various energies, as I noted above. A bold statement of the Zohar is that the entire Torah is essentially an anagram of Divine Names. Some Kabbalistic sources even state that the Torah pre-existed as letters/energies, which took the shape we now have, based on events. In other words, if not for the Sin of the Golden Calf, or the Sin of the Spies, the Torah would be a totally spiritual document, with all the secrets and mysteries available to all. But, because of the people's misdeeds, we have an anagram that must be read as a code. Each of the mitzvot represents combinations of energies, which we must first access, and work to unite different Names. This process is called "Yichudim" (unities) In my next post, I will go into more detail about the hidden Names and their significance.