Each of has a name
Given by God
And given by our parents
Each of us has a name
Given by our stature and our smile
And given by what we wear
Each of us has a name
Given by the mountains
And given by our walls
Each of us has a name
Given by the stars
And given by our neighbors
Each of us has a name
Given by our sins
And given by our longing
Each of us has a name
Given by our enemies
And given by our love
Each of us has a name
Given by our celebrations
And given by our work
Each of us has a name
Given by the seasons
And given by our blindness
Each of us has a name
Given by the sea
And given by
Our death.

This poem, by the Israeli author Zelda, speaks to the importance of our names throughout our lives. She captures, in deceivingly simple language, the essence of how our names shape our identity, and how our identity shapes our names.

I must admit one of the most frequently asked questions I answer is about my name—initially in response with my mysterious first initial, “B” which stands for Beth. However, since returning from our honeymoon, I have been peppered with questions about my married name! Little did I realize the struggle I would undergo in making this decision! While I knew that my moniker was important to me, I did not realize the depth of which my name shaped, and informed, my sense of my own identity.

Until I married Charlie, I proudly carried the same initials as my grandfather—BAB—and, like him, was addressed by my middle name, Allison. Knowing how my parents, and his family, adored my grandfather, carrying this legacy has been a source of deep pride.

However, I couldn't shrink from the issue: What would I do with my name? For a while, I took the uncomplicated path—I would not change my name. After all, it would be easier for my career, and I wouldn't have to go to the social security office to deal with all the paperwork. And yet, I harbored doubts about this resolution. Charlie and I have joined our lives together—and I wanted the world to know! I was, and am, so proud, to have found such a wonderful life partner.

I was struck by the major decision in considering a name change. After all, how many of you have ever named something? A pet, a child—I even know people who have named their cars!

Choosing a name is a momentous process. When parents name a child, they struggle to choose a name that will bestow honor upon their son or daughter. A midrash teaches: “One should examine names carefully in order to give his or her child a name that is worthy so that the child may become a righteous person.” We inherently understand that with a name, we shape the future identity of that person. “When we give something a name, we define it's very nature”, teaches Cantor Martin Levson.

In fact, our sense of identity changes with the names we are called. When a teacher calls out “Hey you”, our reaction will surely be different than a teacher who uses our first name. Our response to a hated nickname will be different than being addressed by our full name.

A midrash teaches: “Every person has three names: One his parents gave him, one others call him, and one he acquired himself.” Think about it—how many of you have a pet name, that only one person calls you? Or a nickname given by college buddies that only they know?

The names we were given at birth reflect the hopes and dreams of our parents. These names shaped our identity, while later designations informed others of our character. Using a specific name at a given time is also powerful. As being called a certain name shapes our response, so too can using a name for a specific reason also elicit a desired response. As for example, using a title command authority, or using a casual name to imply intimacy. This is also true, I belive in the ways we address God—or God addresses us. There are many, many names for God: Almighty, The One, Ruler, Creator. . and in Hebrew, some are: El Shaddai, Elohim, Adonai. Each offers different insight into the character and essence of the Almighty. In this weeks Torah portion, God confronts Moses, and commands Moses and Aaron to call God, “Adonai”—the pronunciation for the letters YHVH.

The choice to reveal this particular name, which we read as Adonai, at this moment, is interesting. The word YHVH is derived from the word “to be”, or more specifically, as the word “will be”. That God chose to be addressed with a word so inherently implying action is extremely telling! As God prepares to free the Israelites from Pharaohs' hardened heart, God, through this revelation, offers hope, and confers faith that the Israelites will be redeemed from slavery. Not only are names given by others informative and significant, so too are the names by which we refer to ourselves determining.

As names inform and shape our identity, they are also an everlasting testament to our existence on earth. Returning to this weeks' Torah portion for edification, soon after God is revealed as YHVH, Moses is given further instruction to tell Pharoah of God's intention to free the Israelites. Immediately after this command, the heads of the respective clans of the Levites are listed, from Reuben's sons to Eleazar's progeny. Why this list? This detail is included to ensure that when Moses brings the message to Pharoah, the entire group of Israelites will be included in redemption from slavery. Each name is important, and is cited. These names, by being listed in the Torah, will be remembered in perpetuity. The Book of Ahikar teaches: “ A name endures when beauty fails”. This is to teach that through names, life continues. When a loved one dies, we remember them by reciting their name, and saying Kaddish on the anniversary of their death, and lighting candles in our homes.

Names inform identity, carry memory—they are our imprint - our personal stamp. And so I reveal to you tonight the decision to add to my name Charlie's family name. I am now Beth Allison Bergman Vann. Four more letters to an already lengthy name! By doing this, I am laying down another brick, another foundation in my identity. This choice declares my continued connection with my roots, while celebrating my status as wife and partner. My choice allows me to carry on the legacy of my parents' hopes and dreams, as well as perpetuate Charlie's family name. In this way, I embrace all my names—my given names, my title, my legacy—without diminishing any of them.

I have learned through this process of the incredible power of names, and naming-and as we all get used to my new name I hope that we will all learn from this lesson, and come to recognize and understand the significance of names.

Amen.

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