Yeshiva
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayetze
What’s in a jewish name?
given to 12 of Yakov’s 13 children. Because women
have a higher level of Ruach HaKodesh (as
evidenced by Sara having the final word vis a vis
Yishmael) these names are bestowed by the mother,
rather than the father, though today it is best
when both parents agree with the name, or at
least "trade off" in who gets to choose.
Ashkenazim often name for deceased relatives;
Sefardim for living ones, but this is not
obligatory; the important thing is that the name
conveys a positive message or blessing for the
future. Once a name is used for 30 days, it is
established & should not be changed, unless it
has a negative connotation (note that Yakov will
change the name of "Ben-Oni, son of my mourning"
to Binyamin next week). Beware those who claim to
know which names are propitious or "unlucky;"
there are no prophets alive today, & as long as
the name is not derogatory, it needn’t be altered
(though a second name may be added if desired).
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 17- "Miracles Don't Make a Messiah (87)
After learning about the unique "mass-revelation" at Sinai, the question was asked: what about the Christian claim that their "messiah also did miracles in front of people. The class summarizes the 3 significant differences between that claim and Israel's "mass-revelation".
