What’s in a Name?

With Yom Kippur having occurred less than a week ago, many of us are still considering our atonement and forgiveness, presumably with great thankfulness. Pardon is not a simple gift or easily earned status – we must rather rely on mercy and grace from G!d. During Kol Nidre, the rabbi at the service I attended spoke about names: our many names and G!d’s many names. I couldn’t help but think this weekend as I reflected on her sermon that sometimes we make our names more important than G!d’s names, and more important than our name as G!d’s creation. Without having been created, we would not have the privilege of being on this earth or holding our other names. G!d remains our reason for existence (both originally and in sustenance), our hope of salvation, the giver of life and names to us. I am thankful during this high holiday season for the hope provided in the names of G!d for humanity.

The Hebrew calendar has just begun its 5777th year, and it is almost time to roll the scroll back to Genesis. This week we are in Parashat Ha’Azinu, the last portion of this cycle, found in Deuteronomy 32 (next week we’ll consider the last two chapters of Deuteronomy, not falling officially into this week’s parsha). Moses has delivered G!d’s message to the Israelites, and begins a song (one of ten in the Hebrew Bible according to the Mekhilta of Rabbi Ishmael – which is written in a special style in each Torah scroll) of praise, reminder, and warning.

“For I proclaim the name of the L!rd; ascribe greatness to our G!d! The Rock! His work is perfect, for all his ways are just; a G!d of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is he.”

G!d is named in the early verses of this parsha according to his character, his deeds, and his relationship with Israel. In the following verses, Israel is given less savory names as their disobedience is recounted. However, they are promised protection and that they are still G!d’s people. How is this possible? If the name of G!d is more important than our own, and is upheld in such a manner, then his name may cover ours – his deeds may cover ours – we may be saved by our relationship with him. We trust in a G!d who does not sin, for whom an atoning sacrifice is unnecessary. Rather, he grants us forgiveness and pardon. Moses may be talking to the people of Israel before they enter the land separate from him, but his words still resonate today.

Moses is instructed by G!d in the last few verses of this chapter, after he has finished his song, to go up to Mount Nebo where he will die. His message has been given to the Israelites, and his work with them is done. G!d has given Moses both his name and his words, entrusting him with the Hebrew nation which has grown so large, and which will continue to be G!d’s light to the world. The process for them then, as for us now, is to continue to take on G!d’s name(s) in order to be the light that he’s designed us to be.