Rambam - Sefer HaMitzvos: Positive Mitzvah 7: Positive Mitzvah 7

Positive Mitzvah 7: Taking an oath in G-d's name
Deuteronomy 10:20 "And swear by His name"

In court, when the defendant is called to the stand, he or she is questioned again and again by the lawyers and the judge.

The defendant tries to convince the jury that he is not guilty of the crime he is charged with. The judge demands that he swear he is telling the truth.

The defendant chooses to swear by something he holds to be sacred and important. He hopes this will impress the jury of his sincerity and innocence.

In a Beit Din, a Jew may also be required to take an oath confirming that he is telling the truth.

When taking an oath, he is commanded to swear by the name of HaShem. He will be using HaShem's holy name to convince the court of his honesty.

Isn't this the whole meaning of life in this world -- to choose between connecting to the material world and believing that your life comes from those many forces, or to choose true life and to believe that all your needs and all your concerns come only from the One G-d of Life?

From: Bringing Heaven Down to Earth by Tzvi Freeman - tzvif@aol.com