• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

BKLA - Beis Knesses Los Angeles

Not Just a Shul

  • About
    • Rabbi Shoff
      • Rabbi Shoff’s Classes
  • Schedule
    • Events-Current
  • Torah
    • Current Parsha
    • Previous & Next Parshas
    • Oneg – PDFs
    • Paradise – Sefer Bereshis
      • Paradise: Bereishis — Redheads Aren’t Always Evil
      • Paradise: Noah — Killing the Giant
      • Paradise: Lech Lecha — Chase ’em to Damascus!
      • Paradise: Vayera – Wash Your Feet
      • Paradise: Chayei Sarah – Magical Stones, the Omer, and the Elderly
      • Paradise: Toldos – Married with Children
      • Paradise: Vayetze – Names and Souls
      • Paradise: Vayishlach – Your Money is Your Life
      • Paradise: Vayeshev – Wearing Nothing but a Crown
      • Paradise: Miketz – The Light of Darkness
      • Paradise: Vayigash – Lions and Moshiach
      • Paradise: Vayechi — Frogs and the Shema
    • Paradise – Sefer Shemos
      • Paradise: Shemos — Tongue Un-tied
      • Paradise: Va’era – Feet on the Ground
      • Paradise: Bo — Fresh and New
      • Paradise: Beshalach — Expectant Mothers and Song
      • Paradise: Yisro — The Secret of Successful Relationships
      • Paradise: Mishpatim – Webbed Hands and Earplugs
      • Paradise: Terumah — Men and Angels
      • Paradise: Tetzaveh — Oils, Incense and Satan
      • Paradise: Ki Tisa — Women’s Lib
      • Paradise: Vayakhel — Crowns, Forgetfulness and Shabbos
      • Paradise: Pekudei — Special Oxygen
    • Paradise – Sefer Vayikra
      • Paradise: Vayikra – Headless!
      • Paradise: Tzav – Burning Man
      • Paradise: Shmini – Sober Guys Anonymous
      • Paradise: Tazria — Love and Children
      • Paradise: Metzora — Diseases, Pigs and Reincarnation
      • Paradise: Acharei Mos — The Bald vs. the Hairy; Good vs. Evil
      • Paradise: Kedoshim – Clang the Tools Louder, Guys, or the Spirits will Get You!
      • Paradise: Emor – Sukkahs – Booths for War
      • Paradise: Behar — Giving Things Up
      • Paradise: Bechukosai – Deception and Idols
    • Paradise – Sefer Bamidbar
      • Paradise: Bamidbar – Overpopulation
      • Paradise: Naso – Seeing the Saddled Elephant
      • Paradise: Behaaloscha – Breastfeeding
      • Paradise: Shlach – Look At Me, I’m Humble!
      • Paradise: Korach — The Sound of Faith
      • Paradise: Chukas – Know-it-Alls, and Filthy, Filthy Snakes
      • Paradise: Balak – This Opposite That
      • Paradise: Pinchas – Peace and Priests
      • Paradise: Matos – Another Woman
      • Paradise: Maasei – Hearing voices and hitting home runs
    • Paradise – Sefer Devarim
      • Paradise: Devarim – You Are Good — Now Change!
      • Paradise: Ve’eschanan – Homes Filled with Pig
      • Paradise: Ekev – When You are Nearby to Moshe
      • Paradise: Reeh – Baseball and Koheles
      • Paradise: Shoftim – Kings, Women and Candles
      • Paradise: Ki Seitsei — Mystics, Rationalists and Fringes on Clothes
      • Paradise: Ki Savo — How to Look just like God
      • Paradise: Nitzavim — Monkey See
      • Paradise: Vayeilech – Bring the Kids Along!
      • Paradise: Haazinu — Say Pi Pi Pi and then Spit
      • Paradise: Vizos HaBracha — Moshe
    • Shiurim – Archives
    • Daf Yomi – Breakneck – 7 Daf per Week in 2 Hours
  • Contact
  • In the News
  • Donate
You are here: Home / Chumash / 1-Bereshis / Paradise: Vayetze – Names and Souls

Paradise: Vayetze – Names and Souls

Leave a Comment

Paradise – Vayetze

Oneg 7 – Vayetze 2018


Leah conceived and she bore a son and she called his name…

Bereishis 29:32

The Imahos (matriarchs) were the ones to name all of the twelve tribes.[1] Apparently, it was they who were best suited for the task! Why was this? And is it really that important who names the child?

Naming a child after nothing at all is ridiculous. Just imagine a close friend who suddenly picked up and moved to Pittsburgh. You call him up and ask why he moved there, and he offers no reason other than, “I like cities that are spelled with a ‘gh’ in them, and I’ve always thought that the letter ‘P’ is a great one to start a word.”

“Did you look into the school system, or think about your distance from family, or the weather, or the proximity to religious institutions and synagogues, or the prevalence of above-average Chinese-style eating establishments?” you would then, of course, ask him.

“Pooh-pooh to that,” this very strange man would reply; “I already told you that I like the ‘gh’ and plus, on my map, Pennsylvania is orange. I like orange juice.” It is even more foolish to name a child on a whim.

A child’s name is something very important. The Arizal[2] tells us that parents are enveloped in holiness and divinely prodded toward the right name, should they choose to listen.[3] This name relates to the mission and very soul of the child.[4] Unfortunately, many do not listen. To name a child after nothing meaningful is a travesty. To name a child Ilana, because “I like the sound,” is childish and immature. To name that very same name to remember a kind grandmother or because of something that one finds inspiring about trees is an entirely different story. Those reasons are noble ones. But to arbitrarily choose a name for no reason other than “it’s just so cute” is outrageous. The name of the child can be something meaningful that he or she can relate to over the course of his or her lifetime. Names can provide children meaning both in a rational way, and by defining their mission in this life in a spiritual way.

The great Bnei Yissaschar of Dinov writes[5] that a person is drawn after his name. It is like a handle, for by attaching to it the larger object, the whole item will move. It is for this reason that we find Nebuchadnezzar giving secular names to Chananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, in the book of Daniel[6] calling them Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He hoped to influence them.

Man is complicated. He is not his heart – that can be transplanted. So can his liver and kidneys. His arms and legs can be removed and he is still a man. But his thoughts, accumulated memories, loves and desires cannot be separated from him. They are the man. When we talk about a person and call him by his name, “Melvin,” we are not referring to his car, his home, his arms and legs or his heart. We talk about the real him, the part of him that differentiated him from all other people. One’s name is the access path to his essence. Names are not simply borne of convenience. When we wish to refer to the real person, we use that person’s name. The name therefore is not simply a cute nickname or tag, as the name of a dog might be. To refer to one’s child by a nickname that one finds very cute is an expression of love. But to name them that and thereby spiritually define their essence based upon immediate cuteness is a bit shallow.

A chasid entered the chambers of the saintly Chiddushei HaRim upon the birth of his newborn son. “Rebbe, what name do you recommend that I give my child?” The Rebbe replied, “The Arizal has taught us[7] that at the time that a father names his child, he is given Ruach Hakodesh (Divine Inspiration) so that he will choose the true name of that child that is being given to its soul from on high. The name that defines his root. Why should I spoil your opportunity to receive ruach hakodesh?”[8]

Our mothers can see much in us. They can often tell, even from the moment when we are born, who we are, and who we can become. The twelve tribes of Israel were named, and thus given their charges, by their mothers – each Jew is a member of one of those tribes. Those of us who are mothers would do well to internalize this awesome responsibility, and those of us who have a mother ought to give her a call! A mother is always “naming” her child, in every interaction that she has with him.

“If someone is great, he is then called “Rabbi.” One greater than him is called “Rabban.” If he is even greater than that, he is then simply called by his own name.”[9] Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Moshe, Shamaya, Avtalyon, Yosi ben Yoezer. There is nothing greater than being yourself. To truly be oneself is a far greater title than even Rabban! All of the striving of a person in this world is really nothing more than a quest to become oneself, and be true to one’s own name.

[1]           This is with the exception of Binyamin, who was named by his mother, Rachel, at birth BenOni, and then the name was changed by Yaakov. But Yaakov would not compromise the intent of Rachel, he just modified it a bit, retaining the original meaning.

[2]           Arizal, Shaar Hagilgulim, hakdama 23, and Mishnas Chasidim, meseches “Chasuna Umilah,” 3:6, where it says, “The name given to a child is prepared by Hashem and placed in the mouth of the person, for this is the name that he has in holiness, and on the other side, there is a name in the klippah…” see also Emunas Itecha (R. Moshe Wolfson), p. 188.

[3]           See also Ohr Torah, of the Maggid of Mezritch (Bereishis, p. 10), where he explains that according to the Arizal, even we who name our children after our ancestors, still have this amazing ability to know what the child’s soul really needs to be named.

[4]           See Chasam Sofer, Parshas Korach, where he asserts that the sins that Korach committed were as a result of his name!

[5]           Nissan 4:10 Al Derech Hasod

[6]           1:7

[7]           Shaar Hagilgulim, hakdama 23

[8]           Emunas Itecha (R. Moshe Wolfson) p. 188

[9]           Tosefta Eduyos 3:4; see Sheloh, Torah Shebeal Peh, klallei Yichusei Hachachamim. See also Aruch on Abaye, where he writes, “Early generations who were exceedingly great had no need for names like “Ravravam, or Rabban, or Rabbi, or Rav…as it says, ‘Hillel came from Babylonia.’” See there, where he goes on to speak of how nobody ever called the prophets “Rabbi Chaggai,” or “Rabbi Ezra.” See also Magen Avos (to Avos), where he explains that Moshe and Yehoshua are simply called by their names, with no appellations of respect, in Avos 1:1, for this reason.


Previous: Toldos | Next: Vayishlach

Filed Under: 1-Bereshis, Chumash, Oneg, Paradise, Parsha Tagged With: Vayetze

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Not Just a Shul


 – Shabbos & Yom Tov Services
 – Classes

6020 W Pico Bl
Los Angeles, CA 90035

Current BKLA Events

Chanukah Greet and Treat – December 13, 2020

Motzei Shabbos Chanukah Zoom Trivia – December 12, 2020

Current Parsha

Paradise: Shemos — Tongue Un-tied

Current Audio

Audio Shiurim for Teves

Shiurim for Teves Parshas from Rabbi Shoff’s Soundcloud library.

Previous & Next Parsha

Paradise: Vayechi — Frogs and the Shema

Gather and listen, sons of Yaakov; listen to Israel your father. — Bereishis 49:2

Paradise: Va’era – Feet on the Ground

The sorcerers said, “It is the finger of G-d!” but Pharaoh’s heart was strong and he did not hear them, as Hashem had spoken. — Shemos 8:15

Breakneck Daf Yomi – Current Masechta

Maseches Eruvin: Daf Yomi Breakneck – 7 Daf A Week In 2 Hours Shiur

Daf Yomi Maseches Eruvin 2-28 (Last Updated September 2, 2020)

More Breakneck Daf Yomi Posts

BKLA Schedule


Friday Night Services

Mincha/Kabalas Shabbos/Maariv: Candle Lighting Time!

Shabbos Morning Services

Fascinating Torah Topics Shiur by Rabbi Shoff: 8 am

Shachris: 9 am

Shochen Ad: 9:20 am

Shabbos Afternoon Pirkei Avos for men and women: One hour before mincha, Shabbos afternoons, during daylight savings time

Rabbi Shoff’s Weekday Classes

Sunday Mornings
All 7 Daf of the Week’s Daf Yomi for men
6:00 am to 8:00 am
6000 W. Pico – MBY Main Bais Midrash

Monday Night Class
8:00 pm
Shoff home: 6116 Saturn St.
For men and women!

Thursday Night Class
9:00 pm
Rosen Home: 1043 Point View St.
For men.
Delicious refreshments, deep inspiration.


Support BKLA by shopping on Amazon

Tags

acharei acharei mos acharei mot Bechukosai Behar bkla Chanukah Chaya Sara daf yomi dr. eli baron eli baron Emor kedoshim lech lecha leviticus metzora metzorah miketz Motzei Shabbos Trivia noah omer passover Pesach pnum rabbi steven weil sefiras haomer Shelach Shemos shmini shmos steven weil tazria tazria-metzora tazriah Toldos toldot Tu B'Av tzav vayechi Vayera Vayeshev Vayetze Vayigash vayikra Vayishlach

Footer

Every Friday

Tweets by @LAEruv_status

Social Media – Find BKLA Where You Hang Out

 BKLA
 Rabbi Shoff
 Twitter
LinkedIn
 Instagram


Support BKLA by shopping on Amazon

Latest Posts

Audio Shiurim for Kislev & Chanukah

Shiurim for Kislev Parshas and Chanukah from Rabbi Shoff’s Soundcloud library.

Audio Parsha Shiurim for Cheshvan

Shiurim for Cheshvan from Rabbi Shoff’s Soundcloud library.

Zoom Shiur in Preparation for Rosh Hashanah 5781 – September 16, 2020

Wednesday night, September 16, 8:00pm: “That Which Comes Before Speech” (Audio available)

Audio Shiurim for Tishrei

Shiurim for Tishrei from Rabbi Shoff’s Soundcloud library.

Maseches Shabbos: Daf Yomi Breakneck – 7 Daf A Week In 2 Hours Shiur

Daf Yomi Maseches Shabbos 2-157 (24 audio files – Last Updated August 16, 2020)

Search the BKLA Website

  • Home
  • Contact
  • Kiddush Eye Candy

Copyright © 2021 BKLA · Beis Knesses Los Angeles · Log in