Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach: Naming Your Child, Shimona, Binyamina, Misushelach?
Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach was asked about naming a girl after a man but using the feminine form. Rav Shlomo Zalman replied "Ein Ta'am V'EinRei'ach", it is not very tasteful. He was against making up names of any sort, and felt people should name after their ancestors rather than originate.
When pressed about a particular name, Rav Shlomo Zalman looked for it in a sefer of names but didn't find it. The petitioner told him that the name is mentioned in Sefer Ezra. To this Rav Shlomo Zalman responded, "So what if it is written in Tanach. Misushelach is also written in the Tanach. Does that mean you will name your son Misushelach?"
At the end Rav Shlomo Zalman said, whatever name you give him, he should be zocheh, to Arichas Yamin V'Shanim! (Aleihu Lo Yibol YD 161)
Important Note: We try to convey the Tshuva to the best of ourability. We admit that our understanding may not be accurate. Pleasealso understand that this Tshuva may not be the final word on thistopic. One should consult a Rav before drawing any conclusions.
Anonymous, 2013-03-30 23:56:49 I understand not making up names but whats wrong with naming your kid Misuelach since it DOES appear in Tanach? Is it because some tanach names are of non-jewish background?
printable version
