Writing B”H on Letters

Questions: One of our teachers encourages us to write B”H on the top of our work, while another teacher told us that we should avoid doing so. Which is right?

Answer: The Gemara (Rosh Hashana 18b) relates that the Yevanim decreed that the Jewish people must not mention Hashem’s Name. The Chashmonaim ruled that every letter they wrote should contain Hashem’s Name. Nonetheless, the sages revoked this rule, fearing that these letters would end up being discarded. Thus, the Rema (YD 276:13) writes that one must be careful not to write sheimos in letters.

R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yechave Daas 3:78) quotes the Chida who writes that one may write abbreviations even if they refer to Hashem. While the Rogatchover Gaon (Tzafnas Paneach 196) disagrees, R’ Ovadia writes that writing ב"ה on the top of letters is an ancient minhag and is permissible.

However, R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe YD 2:138) writes that while he is not concerned about the letters being destroyed, it is not necessarily appropriate to write ב"ה on a secular letter. R’ Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos Vehanahagos 1:640) adds that the Vilna Gaon did not write this on his letters. Nonetheless, they write that those that do want to write something, should rather write בס"ד, standing for bisyata dishmaya, with help from heaven (see Aruch Hashulchan YD 276:28).

In conclusion, there are different practices regarding writing B”H on the top of a paper. Many Chassidim are particular to do so, some choose to write BS”D instead while others avoid writing anything.