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own edict that every Hebrew male
child should be cast into the river.
Hence, his name remained the
choice of the one who saved his life.
It has also been pointed out, espe-
cially by students of Hebrew gram-
mar, that the word "Moshe" doesn't
actually mean "drawn out" — that
would be mashui, a passive form of
ur Torah portion is called
the verb. Again, the sages teach that
Shemot "Names," after the
pharaoh's daughter was not only
opening verse: "These are
compassionate but wise and instruc-
the names of the sons of
tive as well. She deliberately chose
Israel who came to Egypt with
his name to project for him an
Jacob." In English, the book
active role in the life of his
is known by one of the
people, not to be remem-
major events contained in
bered only as the recipient
the narrative — Exodus.
of someone else's good
The Plaut commentary
deed. The name "Moshe"
summarizes an insight by
challenged him and set the
Benno Jacob, who wrote
tone for his formative
that there is a new distinc-
experiences. His character
tion here in the use of the
and identity combined to
phrase "the names of the
save others and bring them
sons of Israel" as compared
out. He would be the one
to the first book's familiar,
RABBI
who would be remem-
"These are the lines
bered.
NORMAN T.
(toledot) of Jacob." Israel's
So it is Moses, not
ROMAN
sons have to mature and
Mashui, who defends his
Special to the
acquire their own names in
fellow Jews against an
Jewish News
order to merit and acquire
Egyptian taskmaster and
their inheritance.
later intervenes when two
It happens that the lesson about
slaves are fighting; he protects the
names in our sedra doesn't end with
daughters of Jethro at their well and
the first verse; for in Chapter 2,
is merciful to a little lamb at the
when we are introduced to the story
mountain of God. He is chosen and
of Moses, we are presented with
named to be the shepherd of the
another insight: The pharaoh's
Israelites and to lead the people
daughter "named him Moses,
toward their promised land with love.
explaining, 'I drew him out of the
Just as Jacob's sons had to earn
water.'" The rabbis in the Midrash
the merit of being individuals and
ask why the greatest leader of Israel
leaders of their tribes, so does Moses
would retain his Egyptian name; and
demonstrate the importance of hav-
they answer, "God said to Moses,
ing one's name and reputation
`Of all the names you have been
reflect the miracles and stories that
given, I will only call you by the one
accompany his birth. ❑
chosen by Bitya, pharaoh's daugh-
ter.'"
For according to tradition, Moses
did have other names. Some say the
name given him by his mother,
What is the meaning of your
Yocheved, was Toy ("good"), and
name? Why was it chosen for (or 4
others say that it was Tovia ("God is
by) you? If you were given a
good"). One source even states that
name to memorialize someone,
he was given 10 different names,
which values and characteristics
possibly to confuse the Egyptians.
of that person's life have been
Only the name given him by Bitya
confirmed through your life? The
was kept in the Torah.
Talmud says that each of us actu- 4
Another midrashic source explains
ally bears three names: the one
that we learn from this insight the
given us by our parents, the one
importance of deeds of love and
we earn in our daily lives, and
kindness. We eternally remember
the one we choose for ourselves
Bitya whenever Moses' name is men-
in our own Book of Life. Which
tioned, for she defied her father's
of these seems the most appro-
Shabbat Shemot:
Exodus I:I-6:1;
Isaiah 27:6-28:13;
29:22-23.
O
Conversations
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Valued Above All
Is A Good Name
547-9669
Norman T. Roman is rabbi of Temple
Kol Ami.
priate for you?