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All of this was brought to my mind very recently when my newest great granddaughter was named after her departed great grandmother. Even though I have had other grandchildren and great grandchildren named after my departed parents I felt this name giving more emotionally and deeply than those other occurrences. It was a great sense of comfort and complete closure that swept over me. The importance of names in Jewish life became very real and unexpectedly personal to me. I see that no one really knows one’s self until real life situations actually arise. I always thought that I was above the name game. Not so.
One of the facets of Israeli pioneer life was to abandon the custom of naming children after deceased ancestors and relatives. Instead new names of Biblical origin or of pure Hebrew names describing flowers, fruits, emotions, etc became and to a great extent still remains the popular vogue. As a complete departure from tradition and custom, and make no mistake about it, the original secular pioneers were determined to throw off all vestiges of Jewish tradition, these new biblical names included names of villains, idolaters and other people who Jewish tradition rejected as being any sort of role model for future generations. Their ancestors would have been shocked to learn that their descendants bore such names as Omri, Nimrod, Avuyah, Shimi, Yeravam, etc. But times change and so do names. The old Yiddish names that were so common in Eastern European Jewish life are slowly disappearing from common usage even in very religious circles. They are now pretty much relegated to being middle names that are really rarely used in everyday life. This trend of lessening the use of traditional Yiddish names is now common throughout the entire Jewish world, not only in Israel. I imagine as Eastern European Jewry fades from time and memory, in spite of all of the Holocaust remembrances, the Yiddish names will also wither into disuse. So was it regarding the names of Babylonian Jewry and the great men of the Talmud - Abayei, Rava, Rav Papa, etc. - that have all disappeared from current Jewish life. If such names are no longer present in the world then the Yiddish names no matter how common they once were will probably suffer a similar fate. The Hebrew names of the tanaaim of the Mishna, which in the main were pure Hebrew names, have survived rather nicely till our day. The Greek names and the Roman names that were common in Second Temple times amongst Jews have also almost completely disappeared. English, French, Spanish and Russian names now take their place within Jewish society. It is really possible to trace the events of Jewish history simply by studying the names borne by Jews in certain times and places. So names are important to Jews. They tell our story, our past and our aspirations.
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
