Jewish names - from antiquity to our days

In the modern Russian language there are very few Slav names. Most of it comes from Greek, Latin or Hebrew. For examples, it is not necessary to go far. Michael, Gabriel, Jeremiah, Veniamin, Matvey, Elizabeth and even Ivan are Jewish names by descent. Yes, of course, they Russified, and it's hard to see Joseph in Joseph, in Akim of Joachim, and in Semyon - Shimon (Simeon), as in Anna-Hannu ... But their etymology is exactly that.

In the era of pogroms and persecutions, mass repression, it became increasingly difficult to be a Jew in Russia, Poland, or Ukraine. And so there was a reverse trend. People who had Jewish names, willingly replaced them in documents for the sounding "in Russian" (in Polish, in Ukrainian). So Baruch became Boris, Leib - Leo, and Rivka - Rita.

Traditionally, boys receive Jewish names during the ritual of Brit Mil (circumcision). Girls are traditionally in the synagogue, on the first Saturday after birth. Later, babies were given birth during the Bat Shalom ceremony, which usually takes place in the evening, on the first Friday after the end of the first month of the baby.

Jewish names are used in the synagogue (in documents), Along with the mention of the father's name (for example, David ben [son] Abraham, or Esther baht [daughter] Abraham), although you can even more often observe the mother's name. In the twelfth century, a ban was imposed on the naming of children by the names of living members of the family. Ashkenazi generally followed this prohibition, and Sephardic Jews did not. Among the latter there is a tradition to call the first son the name of the grandfather on the paternal line, and the second - the grandfather on the maternal line. Also with the naming of daughters. The elder received the name of the grandmother from her father's side, the second - the grandmother's mother.

Spiritual practices related to anthroponyms are also interesting. By tradition, it is believed that the name has a special existential essence, the message. That it determines not only the character, but the fate of the baby. For this reason, assigning a name to a Jewish newborn is a responsible affair. Parents choose, but it is believed that the Almighty gives them the gift of prophecy. After all, the name given to them, the person wears forever. This will be pronounced, honoring the boy of honor to read the Torah, when he is 13 years old, and he will begin to keep the commandments of God. The same name will be registered in the ktub (marriage contract). They will be his wife and family. Interestingly, according to tradition, if the disease threatens human life, one more is usually added to its first one. Men are usually added the name Chaim or Raphael, women - Haya. Such a change affects the fate of the patient and gives hope. It is said: "changing the name, changing fate."

In total, a classification can be made of five main groups. The first are the biblical Hebrew names that are mentioned in the Pentateuch and other sacred books. The second - the names of the prophets of the Talmud. The third group consists of anthroponyms from the natural world - and here opens up a real space for creativity. For example, the Jewish names of boys and girls with the meaning "light, clear, radiance": Meir, Naor, Uri, Liora, Ora, Uri's name is very beloved. Popular and borrowing from the world of plants and animals, emphasizing beauty or positive quality. Ilana and Ilan (tree), Yael (gazelle), Oren (pine), Lilach (lilac). The fourth group includes male Jewish names that coincide with the name of the Creator or praise him. This, for example, is Jeremiah, Yeshua, Shmuel. This is Efrat (praise), and Hillel (laudatory song), and Eliab, Elior (the light of the Most High). And, finally, the fifth group consists of the names of angels (Raphael, Nathaniel, Michael), which are perceived as human.