What’s in a Name?

Upon graduation from grade school, I was gifted Judy Blume’s classic coming-of-age book, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. The story centers on a young girl embarking on her spiritual journey while navigating growing up in the suburbs of New Jersey. Each time she prays, she begins by introducing herself by name to God. I always thought it was interesting that she talks with God so often in the book, yet she feels that she needs to introduce herself each time. I began thinking about all the different ways I introduce myself in my life: Ranata, rabbinic intern, wife, daughter, friend, student, American, Jew, yogi, painter, etc.

There are so many instances throughout the Torah where God renames humans and humans attribute names God, but this week, God commits to bringing the Israelites out of Egypt and reveals the Divine name, יְהֹוָ֔ה (often translated as Lord, but in gender-neutral phrasing, Eternal One is often accepted). Prior to this name, יְהֹוָ֔ה, God says that if the Israelites ask about the Divine name, Moses should tell them it is, אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶֽהְיֶ֑ה, “I Am What I Am” or “I Will Be What I Will Be.” In essence, if God’s name is Eternal and God will be what God will be, God is eternally changing and flexible in nature, ever-evolving.

We, too, should allow ourselves to be open to evolving and changing. We will be what we will be, and the many names we hold will also evolve throughout our lives. Our tradition teaches, “In life, a person is called by three names: one is the name the person is called by his father and mother; one is the name people call him; and one is the name he acquires for himself. The best one is the one he acquires for himself.” We are given names at birth, we hold different titles, but how we choose to name and introduce ourselves at our core, how we choose to present our essence, is up to us.

As the Israelites in our story begin their journey to giving themselves the name of God’s people, the Israelites, we ask ourselves:

• How do we want to introduce ourselves, to others, and to God?
• Who are we now and who do we want to be?
• What is our role within the Jewish people?

I pray this Shabbat, as we read of the Israelites’ journey toward freedom and identity that we may also free ourselves from the idea that we can only ever introduce ourselves as one name. May we embrace each other, and each version of ourselves as we grow and change.

With many blessings from my family to yours,

Ranata Shlobin, Rabbinic Intern