Q&A: Maimonides
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Maimonides
Question
I just started learning the daily Maimonides program, and a new cycle began, and I noticed something strange: in Foundations of the Torah it also includes the laws of erasing the Divine Name. In what sense is that more of a foundation of the Torah than any other prohibition? Fine—belief in the unity of God, prophecy, the laws of sanctifying God’s Name—those are foundational. But this??
Answer
Foundations of the Torah include proper regard for the Holy One, blessed be He, and not desecrating His Name. Among other things, that also includes the way one relates to His Name, which represents Him.