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What is the meaning of the name “Michal”?

by Rabbi Moshe Miller

  

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Mi-cha-el (Michael in English) means “Who is like G-d” – Mi = who; cha (gutteral ch- as in Chanukah) = like; E-l = G-d. I am not sure whether Michal is a similar compound word but it is possible.
 
However, Rabbi Menachem Azaria MiPano (or DeFano -- Italy) interprets the name as an acronym of the verse1 “Mi Yitencha K'ach Li” = If only You [G-d] could be like a brother to me.2 3

Footnotes

  • 1. Song of Songs 8:1.
  • 2. Maamar Ma'ayan Ganim part 1 -- Likkutim by HaRema Mipano.
  • 3. Michal was also the daughter of King Saul and the wife of King David.

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COMMENTS

Michal

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 29, 2006

If the name refers to Michal bat Shaul, then it means 'a small river', or stream.

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Life Cycle » Birth » Jewish names
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