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12 [1] AND YE SHALL NOT SWEAR BY MY NAME FALSELY. “Why is this stated [when it has already been mentioned in the Ten Commandments]? Since it is said, *Thou shalt not take the Name of the Eternal thy G-d in vain*, I might think that one is liable only if he swore by the Proper Name of G-d. Whence do I know to include all ‘substitute’ Names of G-d [such as Merciful, etc.]? Scripture therefore says, *And ye shall not swear ‘bishmi’* (*by My Name*) *falsely* — by any Name I have.” This is Rashi’s language from the Torath Kohanim. By way of the Truth, [the mystic teachings of the Cabala], *And ye shall not swear by My Name* refers to the Proper Name [i.e., the Tetragrammaton]. *And thereby thou wilt profane the Name of thy G-d* refers to the Name *Elokim* (G-d), from which Name all other “substitute” Names of G-d are derived. And there [in the Ten Commandments] it says at first *the Name of the Eternal thy G-d*, and similarly, *the Eternal will not hold him guiltless*, meaning, by His Great Proper Name. And this is the meaning of the expression [here in the verse before us], *and thou wilt profane*, meaning that he who swears falsely by the Proper Name, will thereby be profaning the Name of *Elokim* [as all Divine Names are united in perfect Unity].
Version: Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976
Source: https://www.nli.org.il/he/books/NNL_ALEPH002108945/NLI
License: CC-BY