Question: Why is it so important to be called by a Hebrew name?

by Rabbi Mendy Hecht

Library » Mitzvot » Circumcision | Subscribe | What is RSS? PRINT EMAIL COMMENT Answer: On a Kabbalistic level, your Hebrew name denotes the configuration of your soul’s energy, reflecting in its meaning the particular powers your soul has. Upon passing, when the soul departs from the body and arrives before the Heavenly Court, it is not asked: “What is your Hebrew name?” Rather, it is asked: “What is your name?” Because its real name, its essence, is the Hebrew name. Question: But practically speaking, my name is Mike. Not Moshe. I’ve got my life, my friends and family, and everything intact just the way I like. Why rock the boat? a Hebrew name is so important—because it refers to that part of us that truly defines Jewish identity: the Jewish soul Answer: Jewish identity has been interpreted in many ways. Some say it’s a religion, but there are many irreligious Jews. Some say it’s a race, but Jews are of all races. Some say it’s an ethnicity, but Jews are of all ethnicities too. The point is, if the spiritual side of it is ignored, Jewish identity cannot be defined. And this is why a Hebrew name is so important—because it refers to that part of us that truly defines Jewish identity: the Jewish soul. Today, the greatest problem facing the Jewish people is assimilation and ignorance. While it is a big problem, there are little things we can do to fight it. We can take in a Torah class once a week or month. We can celebrate Shabbat. And we can go by our Hebrew names. By using our Hebrew names, we remember constantly who we are, thus fortifying our Jewish identity and automatically fighting assimilation. To paraphrase Neil Armstrong, it may be one small step for a Jew, but one giant leap for Jewry! TAGS: name, names ADD A COMMENT Please email me when new comments are posted (you must be  logged in). RELATED CATEGORIES Life Cycle » Birth » Jewish names Life Cycle » Circumcision » Jewish names Email to a friend Post a comment cancel Loading...