Ask the Rabbi
- Halacha
- Miscellaneous
- General Questions
Question
When a person converts, he chooses a hebrew name for himself. That as i understand will be his forename and his surname will be Ben-Avraham (in the case of male). This is the name he will be called up for Aliyah to HaTorah?
Can it be permitted that n ger change his surname that appears on his ID/Government furnished documents through registering it through the propper government office as another hebrew name i.e Ben Yehuda instead or is this not allowed?
I understand though that Ben Avraham will always be his name for all religious activities/events
Thank you
Answer
Shalom!
He is definitely allowed to choose any last name he wishes- like Ben Yehuda. or HaYisraeli or whatever he wants! It's even a good idea to choose a Hebrew last name, to feel and be seen just like any other Jew, and many rabbis actually Hebraicized their names when making aliya, to feel that much more Jewish-Israeli (like Rabbis Neria, Yisraeli, Goren, Yashar, Ra’anan, and many more), as I did myself (from Chwat to Shvat)! You are correct that the halachic name for aliyot to the Torah, ketuva for marriage etc., will be Ben-Avraham.
Although technically, it might be a little confusing to have an halachic name: Ben Avraham, and a similar but different last name: Ben Yehuda, but it’s fine halachically, if he wishes.
With Love of Israel,
Rav Ari Shvat
Changing a babys name
Rabbi Gideon Weitzman | Nisan 2, 5784

A few miscellaneous questions
Rabbi David Sperling | Shevat 26, 5781

sleeping - which position
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 5, 5784
Jewelry for men
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Adar 21, 5770

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

Fasting or giving Tzedaka on seeing Sefer Torah fallen
Shevat 7, 5771

How to manage to not listen Loshon Hara?
Adar I 23, 5771

Bircat baalat habayit 2
Adar I 23, 5771





