Not to take G‑d's Name in vain

Faith – אֱמוּנָה

• Misusing Hashem’s Name reflects a lack of trust in His greatness and justice. Rambam (Hilchot Shevuot 12:1) stresses that even unnecessary true oaths weaken faith in the sanctity of His Name.

Core Beliefs – יְסוֹדוֹת הָאֱמוּנָה

• At the heart of Torah is the sanctity of Hashem’s Name. Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 30) explains that this mitzvah exists to engrain awe of His Name in our hearts, reinforcing the foundation of belief.

Ten Commandments – עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְּרוֹת

• As one of the Aseret HaDibrot (Exodus 20:7), this prohibition is central to the covenant at Sinai. Rashi comments that its placement among the Ten shows its gravity and universality.

Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם

• The mitzvah demands fear and awe of Heaven. Talmud Shevuot 21a distinguishes between false and vain oaths, both forbidden, teaching that any misuse displays a lack of reverence for Hashem.

Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה

• Hashem’s Name remains eternally holy; it cannot be diminished. What is profaned is the one who misuses it. Rambam (Yesodei HaTorah 6:2) emphasizes that the Name itself retains sanctity even when desecrated by human lips.

Speech – דָּבָר

• Human speech, a divine gift, is elevated through truth. Sefer HaChinuch notes that the prohibition protects us from corrupting this gift by linking falsehood with Hashem’s sacred Name.

Vows / Oaths – נְדָרִים / שְׁבוּעוֹת

• This mitzvah is foundational to the laws of oaths. Rambam (Hilchot Shevuot 1:4) teaches that both false oaths and vain oaths fall under this category, reinforcing the gravity of every verbal commitment.

Bein Adam L’Makom (between a person and G-d)

• This mitzvah is a direct matter between man and Hashem. A false or vain invocation of His Name is a personal affront to His honor, as stated in Exodus 20:7: “Hashem will not absolve one who takes His Name in vain.”