given a value, according to gematria, and the value of is also 45. The seventy-two-fold name is derived from three verses in Exodus 14:19–21. Each of the verses contains 72 letters. When the verses are read boustrophedonically 72 names, three letter each, are produced (the niqqud of the source verses is disregarded in respect to pronunciation). Some regard this name as the Shemhamphorasch. The Proto-Kabbalistic book Sefer Yetzirah describe how the creation of the world was achieved by manipulation of these 216 sacred letters that form the names of God. Erasing the name of God From this it is understood by the rabbis that one should not erase or blot out the name of God. The general halachic opinion is that this only applies to the sacred Hebrew names of God, not to other euphemistic references; there is a dispute as to whether the word "God" in English or other languages may be erased or whether Jewish law and/or Jewish custom forbids doing so, directly or as a precautionary "fence" about the law. The words "God" and "Lord" are written by some Jews as "G-d" and "L-rd" as a way of avoiding writing any name of God in full out. The hyphenated version of the English name ("G-d") can be destroyed, so by writing that form, religious Jews prevent documents in their possession with the unhyphenated form from being destroyed later. Alternatively, a euphemistic reference such as Hashem (literally, "the Name") may be substituted, or an abbreviation thereof, such as in BH (בְּעֶזרַת הַשֵׁם B'ezrat Hashem'' "with the help of the Name"). See also Ancient of Days Baal Shem Besiyata Dishmaya Names of God Names of God in Christianity Names of God in Islam Naming taboo (a similar prohibition in China) Sacred Name Bibles Ten Commandments Vishnu Sahasranama Explanatory notes References Citations Bibliography . . . . . . . External links God's names in Jewish thought and in the light of Kabbalah The Name of God as Revealed in Exodus 3:14—an explanation of its meaning. Bibliography on Divine Names in the Dead Sea Scrolls Jewish Encyclopedia: Names of God "Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh" - Song and Video of Ancient Yemenite Prayer From the Diwan Deities in the Hebrew Bible Hebrew Bible words and phrases Language and mysticism