Yeshiva
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayetze
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
Lessons
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Various Events FOR WHOM NOT TO VOTE
Rav Zvi Yehuda Kook stressed that Israeli politics is G-dly, so I have no problem answering this common question on a Torani blog. Also, Free-Will is a G-d-given right and obligation, to "destine one's fate" (R. Soloveichik, Kol Dodi Dofek, 67), so I obviously don't tell others how to vote. But once not a few (especially young) have already asked, a couple of personal words from experience and thoughts from chazal & Rav Kook which may be of help to others, mainly for whom NOT to vote.
P'ninat Mishpat Fallout from Failure to Install Elevator – part II
based on ruling 85007 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
