I couldn’t find the source for this,
but it is said that a neshama chooses its parents before descending to
this world. This is counter-intuitive because we are so used to making every possible
choice for infants and it gives parents a mistaken sense of superiority. But in
truth we must view children as pure entities that honored us with their trust
and are hoping that we won’t let them down.
One of the many choices parents make
for their offspring is giving them a name. A person’s name encompasses
spiritual energy, identity and a vision. How in the world are parents supposed
to choose a name for this neshama that has trusted them with the great
task of helping it transition into the materialistic world?!?
Well, the truth of the matter is
that this burden isn’t really upon their shoulders. Rav Yitzchak Luria[1]
taught that God himself places the name of a child in the parents’ mouth so that
people will end up having the name which is most befitting them. In other words,
a person is born with a name and the parents simply reveal it.
Another possible explanation as to
why parents are in need of prophecy in order to name their children is that it comes to
remind them that it is not up to them to determine towards what their
descendants should aspire. A child is not a tool with which you can extend your
natural reach and achievements, rather a unique neshama with a purpose
of its own. You are there merely to provide the surroundings that will be most
conducive to assisting them in finding their path.
This is why I believe that although
there is room for some rational considerations while thinking of an appropriate name for a
child, for instance avoiding giving a name that may cause people to crack jokes
or make fun, this process should only be secondary to the natural inspiration
that parents are granted during these beautiful and moving times.
No comments:
Post a Comment