Parasha Vayeitzei
Genesis 28:10-32:3

By: Dani'el Rendelman

 

 

We couldn’t decide what to name the new puppy.  This loveable and cute fur-ball of a dog just had so many wonderful qualities.  She was covered in solid black fur and had pitch-black eyes.  Yes, this dog was special and brought much joy to our home.  What should we call her?  A name is important so we couldn’t just pick a name flippantly.  This was a serious choice.  What would it be?  What best describes this new pet?  Rover?  Lassie?  Sweetie?  Well, the decision was finally made and the decision was just perfect for the dog.  We named this solid black puppy “sparkle.”  We thought it would be funny to use this tag since nothing about the dog’s appearance sparkled.  Yet, the name did describe the relationship that would develop between this puppy and the father of the family.  When “sparkle” was around there was always a sparkle in Dad’s eyes.  This family pet became dad’s dog and would be treated with more love and attention than most newborn babies.  “Sparkle” made dad sparkle.  His whole face would light up when she was near.  The name was perfect and could not have fit any better.

 

Whether it’s naming a dog, a ministry, or a child, choosing a name is a very noteworthy and momentous decision.  A name is not just something you call someone; it is something you call about someone.  A name describes quality, character, history, reputation, and authority.  A name is more than just a title.  It is more than just a word.  It’s a description of destiny and a prophetic picture of the individual.  Ya’acov understood this and so should we.

 

Just read in this week’s Torah portion about the birth and naming of Ya’acov’s twelve sons.  Each name tells part of the parsha, each child’s designation speaks of his place in the family.  Each child’s birthing and order is different and is called something meaningful. 

 

In Biblical times, as it should be today, names carry great significance and importance.  Naming a child was something done with much thought and consideration because they are reflective upon a person’s behavior and character.  Just think about what comes to mind when you hear the name “Michael Jackson” and you will get the point.  “The ancient Israelites believed that names had mystical powers and that in many ways they reflected the character of a person,” says one source.  Unfortunately though, if you pick up your King James Version or NIV and read through the scriptures the English names you find aren’t really the correct names of the individuals.  What you do find are poor substitutes and charades.  The words and names found in your Bible were not the words and names used thousands of years ago.

 

You see, the Bible was originally written in Hebrew.  When Hebrew is changed or translated into any other language MUCH is lost in the process.  No other language can adequately convey the message and inspiration of the set apart Hebrew tongue.  Even English in all of its grandeur is a poor alternate for Hebrew.  That is why it is so important to learn to pray, read, and talk in Hebrew.  It is a great mitzvah to use the holy language in study and worship.  The restoration of the Hebrew language and the abandonment of gentile dialects are just part of the restoration of all things as spoken of in Acts 3 and Zephani’yah 3:9, “For then will I return to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of Yahweh, to serve him with one consent.”

 

The Name Game

Did you know that Joshua was never called Joshua?  And Moses was never called Moses.   While the Hebrew words of the Scriptures were translated into (poor) English “equivalents” the original names of the Biblical characters were transliterated or changed to something similar.  The Hebrew family of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob never heard the English names of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  This name changing that has taken place removes the Israelite identity of the people and creates a story of English speaking people with English sounding names.  When the name of a person is changed so is there character and what you think about a person.  For example the Hebrew parents of the Messiah were not the very English couple of Mary and Joseph.  Their names were very Hebrew - Yoseph and Miriam.  The fact that the original names were changed into English versions is very surprising and a little disturbing.  Didn’t you think Isaiah was really Isaiah’s name?  It’s not.  His name is really Yesha’yahu.  Does this make you wonder what else the translators changed to remove any image of Jewishness?  Perhaps they knew that names carry power, might, influence, and reputation – yet this is nowhere to be found when the word is changed from the original.  Hebrew identity and true meaning is lost when the Hebrew is traded.

 

Speaking of Hebrew identity, the Jewish tradition is to name a child after a relative, either living or dead, who is someone that deserves honor and admiration.  You can also give a child a title that can be reflective upon the Almighty or have a special meaning.  For example “Moses” who is really “Moshe” means “one who is drawn out of the water.  Moshe’s name is a reminder of his unique deliverance from death in the Nile River. 

 

Converts to Judaism have for centuries adopted a Hebrew name that is usually used at religious activities and services, but can be employed all the time.  Many congregations hold “Naming celebrations” where the Hebrew name is announced to the public.  A reference to the Israelites parents’ or Avinu Avraham is usually added to the new name.  The following phrases can be used: “Ben Avraham Avinu” which means “child of our father Avraham” and “Bat Sari Imenu” which means “daughter of our mother Sari.”

 

Adopt a name

“In Scripture a name is very important as it is prophetic of the nature, character, and significance of an individual. This is true in modern Hebrew culture. The Hebrew naming ceremony of the child is very important to the parents and the child. In gentile culture, a name is given to an individual by the parents because it was popular name of that generation, a name of a close relative, or for other non-scriptural reasons. But, what should we do as returning Ephraimites?” wrote Rabbi Ed Nydle.

 

It is certainly not a bad idea to adopt and use a Hebrew name.  Nor is it a bad idea to name your child with the holy tongue.  A Biblical custom has arisen of not using the child’s name until it is formally announced to the community at brit milah (circumcision) or a naming service.  The Rabbi or the father usually makes this announcement with the words “let him/her be known in the house of Israel as ____________.” 

 

The Messiah himself set the example for believers “on the eighth day when it was time for his brit milah, he was given the name Yahshua, which is what the angel had called him before his conception,” Luke 2:21.  Yochannan the Immerser, aka John the Baptist, was not named after his father as was one custom.  Instead he was named at the time of brit milah the name an angel had given him.  This is yet another example for believers to follow.

 

The purpose of donning, having, and using a Hebrew name is profound for many reasons.  One of which is that a Hebrew name is reflective upon the Hebrew characteristics and lifestyle of a person.  Another aspect of this is that as others speak your Hebrew name they are calling forth the true meaning and worth of your new self.  Choosing a Hebrew name is a great action to take after a person comes to a revelation or unveiling of who they really are as an Israelite.  Many people in the Bible had their names changed by Yahweh after their character was changed by an encounter with Yahweh.  For example Avram became Avraham and Ya’acov became Isra’el.

 

Who have you become?  Are you the same person you used to be?

 

Has your encounter with the emet, the truth of your Israelite culture and identity made a huge change in you?  Could a Hebrew name reflect this change to those around you?  Pray about adopting a Hebrew name.  Yes, it is a little weird.  But, think about the profound meanings of a Hebrew name.  Wouldn’t a name change just be the next step towards your intimacy with Yahweh and other Israelites?  Wouldn’t your new name tell more of the your restoration in the family of Israel?

 

Just like “Sparkle” the dog, the twelve sons of Ya’acov were named according to their place in the family.  If a dog’s name can be prophetic can’t your new Hebrew name call forth who you really are?

 

Now follow the birth order and understand the struggles of this parasha through the power of the Hebrew names:

Re’uven - see, a son (named this as a reminder of the firstborn son, a sight to see)

Shimon – hearing (named this because Yahweh heard the prayer for another son)

Levi – joining (named because Le’ah thought this child would join her and Ya’acov)

Y’hudah – praise (named this as the family praised Yahweh for another boy)

Dan – he judged (named this as Yahweh judged in Rachel’s favor and gave her a child)

Naftali- my wrestling (named this as a symbol of the wrestling between Rachel and Le’ah for Ya’acov’s favor and love)

Gad – good fortune (named this as a testimony to good fortune found by Zilpah, Le’ah’s slavegirl)

Asher – happy (named this because this child would bring much happiness to Le’ah)

Yissakhar – hire, reward (named this as a testimony to Yahweh that he rewarded Le’ah for giving her slave-girl to Ya’acov to have relations with)

Z’vulun – living together (named this as hope that this son would cause Le’ah and Ya’acov to live together)

Yoseph- may he add (named this as a prayer to Yahweh that another son would be added to Rachel and Ya’acov)

Bin’yamin – son of the right-hand (named this by Ya’acov at the death of Rachel)

 

*for all things Biblical go to www.emetministries.com