Rambam Yisodei Hatorah Perek 6 Halacha 1: Erasing G-D's Name

כל המאבד שם מן השמות הקדושים הטהורים שנקרא בהם הקב"ה לוקה מן התורה. שהרי הוא אומר בעבודת כוכבים ואבדתם את שמם מן המקום ההוא לא תעשון כן לה' אלהיכם 


Anyone that erases one of the holy and pure names that G-D is called by is given lashes as a biblical [punishment]. For, it says by idols (Devarim 12:3-4) "[And ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their Asherim with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods;] and ye shall destroy their name out of that place. Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God."  

The Rambam is simply restating a law that is brought down in Tractate Makkos (22a) as well as in a few other places. However, the location of this law is striking. In what way does the law of erasing G-D's name constitute a "Yesod" (Basis or foundation) of the Torah? The past five chapters have dealt with subjects that seem to be imperative to the Jewish person: G-D's existence, His relationship with man, the creation of the world, angels, glorifying G-D, the soul of a man and so on. These are all basic ideas that establish the foundation of the Jewish religion that lead us to also accept regular laws. What does erasing G-D's name, a seemingly regular law that has nothing to do with the foundation of our faith, have to do with establishing beliefs that allow us and help us observe Judaism properly?

It seems to me that, like in so many other cases, the law itself is not what is important, but the attitude of the person violating the law. The Torah tells us that we must "break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their Asherim with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods." What is the point of this commandment? Is it not in order to engrave in us a feeling that these idols are false and without merit? Therefore, if our attitude is derived from these actions it stands to reason that the next verse that tells us "Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God" is telling us the same exact thing. If we treat G-D's name in the same disrespectful manner, then we will come to disbelieve in Him as well. Actions influence our inner thoughts.

Now, we can understand why this law is included in the laws of Yesodei (Foundation) HaTorah (of the Torah) because this is an essential attitude to have towards G-D. Someone may believe in G-D, but if he or she acts towards G-D with disdain, that person will eventually come to disbelieve in G-D because of his or her actions. Having a proper attitude towards G-D is essential not just with our minds, but also with our actions.