Vayetzei is a parsha full of names. The majority of the shevatim are born – eleven of the twelve sons of Jacob destined to found the twelve tribes of the Jewish people, as well as their sister Dinah. As each child is born, it is given a name reflective of all the hopes and dreams and gratitude of the family. These moments of family joy reminded me of the picture book Joyful Song by Lesléa Newman and illustrator Susan Gal.
Naming holds a special place in Judaism. When prophecy disappeared the Sages stated that what was left was the small fraction of prophecy needed to bestow a name on a child. Although interestingly, in Vayetzei Rachel and Leah name all the children (including those of their maidservants), while later customs gave this right over to the father who names the child upon being called to the Torah for a girl, or at the bris ceremony for a boy. Which is why I particularly enjoy that in Joyful Song there are two mothers sharing this moment at a newer Jewish tradition – a simchat bat – the baby naming ceremony for girls.
The names given in the Bible are expressions of thanks for the good fortune of a child, but also prayers for the future. They so poignantly reflect the mothers reality – Leah’s continued dreams of receiving some of her husbands attention and affection and Rachel’s pleas to be a mother. Rachel’s first child, Joseph, is given a name that means “may God add on another child to me.” In Joyful Song there is a big brother involved in the naming too, and the family does choose a prayer for the name – a wish that their new daughter and sister will live a life of Joyful Song. May we all be so lucky