Moshe Yohanan, Welcome!
Bris: 22 October 2019 / 23 Tishrei 5780 Hebrew name:
Born: October 15/Tishrei 16 Moshe Yohanan (מֹשֶׁה יוֹחָנָן)
Hashkiveinu Adonai Eloheinu l’shalom, v’ha’amideinu malkeinu l’hayyim. Ufros aleinu sukkat sh’lomekha. … Barukh atah Adonai, ha-poreis sukkat shalom, aleinu v’al kol amo yisrael, v’al y’rushalayim, v’al kol yoshvei teiveil.
Cause us to lie down in peace, Adonai our God, and awaken us to life, our King. Shelter us with Your sukkah of peace.… Blessed are You, Adonai, who spreads your sukkah of peace over us and over all your people Israel and over Jerusalem and over everyone in the whole wide world.
We are taught that a new person comes into the world the very moment the world could not possibly have continued to exist without them. Little one, the newest member of our family, the most recent arrival to our community, and our youngest friend, you will be called to the Torah and known among your people by your Hebrew name: Moshe Yohanan.
It is a very big name for such a little person, but God willing, you’ll grow!
Today, I have the honor of telling you about your name.
As you know, Moshe Yohanan, just like all of us, an angel taught you the entire Torah, every word, before you were born. It’s only during birth that you forgot it! Our job - all of the adults here today - is to help you remember those words. So let me remind you, your first name comes with some pretty big biblical shoes! I pray that during your life you learn a lot about Moses, Moshe, but since you were born during Sukkot, a time of joy and of welcome and caring for others, I especially want to be sure you know the story of Moses and the little sheep.
You see, once when Moshe was out with his father-in-law Yitro’s flock – his very beloved father in law who wasn’t Jewish and who has a Torah portion named after him – one of the little sheep ran off. Well, Moshe was a bit frustrated and ran off after it to discover that the sheep had been thirsty and had run off to get a drink. Moshe asked that little sheep’s forgiveness, waited patiently as it drank its fill, and than carried it back to the flock. Soon after, Moses noticed there was a bush burning and not consumed and entered into a conversation with God. The story goes that the bush had been burning a long time, but it was Moshe’s compassion and sensitivity and attentiveness that allowed him to see it.
The first part of your Hebrew name is after your great-grandfather, Maurice Kreevoy, whose Hebrew name was also Moshe. Like Moses, your great-grandfather was also a man of patience and love. He was a man who loved learning and educating. In giving you his Hebrew name, your parents, Helen and J.J. hope you also develop these traits.
The second part of your Hebrew name is Yohanan, and it is also a name of learning and eduation, as well as a name of perseverance. Yochanan ben Zakkai was a student of the great sage Hillel in the first century of the Common Era. Yochanan was so widely respected as a scholar, teacher, and for his great wisdom, he was given the title “Rabban” – Master – as opposed to the more common “Rabbi” – teacher. He, Hillel, and Akiva are particularly elevated among our great sages. It is said that during the siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE Yochanan was smuggled out of Jerusalem to meet with Vespasian – the general who would become the emperor. Yochanan requested that Vespasian spare the city of Yavneh, the center of learning, as a home for scholars. Because of Yochanan’s ability to connect with the general, Vespasian acceded to Yochanan’s request, contributing to the continuing study of Torah and the survival of Judaism.
Your name Yohanan comes from your grandfather’s name, John Swain. Your grandfather is a man who has a strong ability to connect to others. He has deep love for his family, and will persevere in situations of both triumph and challenge. In giving you his name, your parents hope for you to also share in these characteristics.
Moshe Yohanan, your name together meaning born and graced by God. Arriving during the days of the Festival of Sukkot, a time already so full of joy in our community, and now receiving your name during the festival of Simchat Torah – simcha/joy of Torah – we pray that your life is overflowing joy and that you are always surrounded by the love of your family and your people. All of your people. May you find guidance in your ancestors, both ancient and more recent, and, Moshe Yohanan, may you always be sheltered by the sukkah of peace.
Shared with the permission of Moshe Yohanan’s parents.