in modern Russian Slavic proper names are very few.Most comes from the Greek, Latin and Hebrew.The examples are not far to seek.Michael, Gabriel, Jeremiah, Benjamin, Matthew, Elizabeth, and even Ivan - is Jewish names by origin.Yes, of course, they are Russified, and it is difficult to see Joseph Osip in Akim Jehoiakim, and seeds - Shimon (Simeon), as in Anna - Hannah ... But it is their etymology.
In the era of pogroms and persecution, mass repressions to be a Jew in Russia, Poland, Ukraine was becoming increasingly difficult.And so there was a reverse trend.People who have had Jewish names, readily replaced them in documents on sounding "in Russian" (in Polish, Ukrainian).So Baruch became Boris, Leib - Lev and Rivka - Rita.
Traditionally boys get Hebrew names during the ceremony of Brit Mila (circumcision).Girls also - traditionally in the synagogue on the first Sabbath after the birth.Later it became practice naming newborns during the ceremony of Bat Shalom, which usually occurs in the evening, on the first Friday after the first month of a child.
Jewish names are used in the synagogue (in the document), along with a reference to the father's name (for example, David ben [son of] Abraham or Esther bat [daughter] Abraham), but more often you can observe and specify the name of the mother.Already in the twelfth century was a ban on naming the names of children living family members.Ashkenazi generally respected this prohibition, and Sephardic Jews - no.Among the latter, there is a tradition to name his first son the name of his grandfather on the paternal side, and the second - maternal grandfather.Also, with the naming daughters.Senior grandmother received the name of the father, the second - maternal grandmother.
interesting and spiritual practices associated with anthroponyms.Traditionally, it is believed that the name has a special existential essence, the message.What it determines not only the character, but also the fate of the baby.For this reason, the Jewish naming the newborn is the responsible thing.Choose the parents, but it is believed that it is the Almighty gives them the gift of prophecy.After all, the name given to them, the person is forever.It will say it, the honor of honoring the boy to read the Torah, when he turns 13 years old, and he starts to keep the commandments of God.The same name will be registered in the ketubah (marriage contract).They will call it the spouse and relatives.Interestingly, according to tradition, if the disease is threatening a person's life, to his first usually add one more thing.Men are usually added to the name of Haim and Raphael, women - Hai.This change affects the fate of the patient and gives hope.It says, "to change the name, change the fate."
In total, you can make a classification of the five main groups.The first is the biblical Hebrew names that are mentioned in the Pentateuch and other sacred books.The second - the names of the prophets, the Talmud.The third group consists anthroponomy from the natural world - and here opens the true scope for creativity.For example, the Hebrew names for boys and girls with a value of "light, bright, shining" Meir, Naor Uri, Liora, Ora, very loved by the name of Uri.Popular and borrowing from the world of plants and animals, emphasizing the beauty and positive quality.And Ilan Ilan (tree), Yael (gazelle), Oren (pine), Lilach (lilac).The fourth group includes men's Hebrew names that match the name of the Creator, or praise it.This, for example, Jeremiah, Joshua, Samuel.This Efrat (praise) and Hillel (paean), and Elia, Elior (Light of the Most High).Finally, the fifth group consists of names of angels (Raphael, Nathaniel Michael), which are perceived as human.
