Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

Parshat Shmot is literally the portion of Names. While the beginning of the Torah reading lists the names of Jacob and his twelve sons, there is much more to names in this week's Torah lesson. We are introduced to many names: Amram and Yocheved; Aaron, Miriam, and Moses; Shifra and Puah; the daughter of Pharaoh (Bitya, in the Midrash); Yitro, Tzipporah, Gershom,  and others. Even God mentions the divine  name to Moses - "I am that I am."

In many cases, names have actual meanings. Moses, for example, is named "Moshe" because "he was drawn from the water." His name would describe his essence, as he would later draw his people from slavery to freedom.

When it comes to our Jewish names, do we know if they are also words with meanings? Do we know if we are named in memory of loved ones? If so, what do we know about them? Do we know our parents' Jewish names and the stories surrounding those names?

What associations do you have about your names in Hebrew or English? When someone hears your names, what associations do you think they are making about you?

What's in a name? Actually, quite a lot!

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison