B"H

Friday, Mar-Cheshvan 10, 5779 / October 19, 2018

In this week's Parsha, Lech Lecha we read, "And Avram was ninety nine years old and the L-rd appeared to Avram and said to him: I am G-d Al-mighty; walk before Me and be whole-hearted.  And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly." 

Then G-d changes Avram's name to Abraham (Avraham) - adding the letter "Hay." His wife's name was also changed, "And G-d said to Abraham as for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.  And I will bless her and I will give her a son."

In order that Abraham and Sarah should be able to give birth to their son, Yitzchak, G-d first changed their names by adding the letter "Hay."

One's Hebrew name is very significant.  Through the letters of one's Hebrew name, G-d funnels His blessings to that individual. After their name change they were able to have Yitzchak.

This is the reason why, when one is critically ill, many times a name will be added.  Usually, a name which has to do with healing and life, such as Chaim or Chaya (life), Refael (angel of healing), etc. is added. 

When one is sick, we recite the Mi Shebeirach prayer in which the person's name and mother's name are mentioned.  When calling to the Torah we call the person's Hebrew name and father's name.

Just as G-d gave Abraham his name, Avraham, in connection with his circumcision, so too, we name a baby boy at the time of his circumcision, on the eighth day.

Our sages tell us that when parents name their child, G-d gives the parents a form of prophecy so they will choose the proper name which will serve as a channel for G-d’s blessings.

When giving a name we are careful to name a child after good and righteous people.  According to our sages, one should not give a name after one who is wicked, for it may hurt the child.  

We see the importance of our Hebrew names, as our sages say that one of the merits for which Jews were liberated from Egypt, was that they didn't change their Hebrew names for Egyptian ones.

Point of interest: The number of Hebrew letters comprising the names of our three patriarchs add up to 13 (Abraham (5), Isaac (4) and Jacob (4). The Hebrew letters of our four matriarchs, Sarah (3), Rivkah (4), Rachel (3) and Leah (3) also amount to 13.  Together they total 26, which is the numerical value of G-d's name (10+5+6+5=26).   

SHABBAT SHALOM

Montrealcandle lighting time: 5:44 / Shabbat ends: 6:45