Rabbi Moss: A Soul's Safe Landing

Question of the Week:

Please G-d we are expecting a baby soon. We know that if it is a boy then we can't tell anyone his name until the Bris. But why? And if it is a girl, she is meant to be named in synagogue before the name is announced, is that right? What is the significance of all of this?

Answer:

Naming is a big thing. A child's Hebrew name is the description of their soul, their mission and their spiritual energy. Only when the name is given does the soul settle in the body. And so we give the name at the earliest opportunity, but also at the most spiritually suitable time.

For a boy, we wait for the Bris. We want him to receive his name after entering into the covenant with G-d. But for a girl, there is no need to wait. At the very next Torah reading after her birth, her father (or if necessary someone else) is called to the Torah, and the rabbi then says a prayer to bless the mother and name the baby. Some have the custom to wait until the first Shabbos after the birth, but it can be done before that on a Monday or Thursday morning when the Torah is read.

The reason we don't reveal the name before the actual naming is because we want her name to 'land' on her in an aura of sanctity and holiness. This is why we do it at the Torah, in synagogue. Such an occasion has similar holiness to a Bris. The soul of Elijah the Prophet is present at every girl's naming too, to bless the child and approve her name. We despatch this freshly born soul on her life mission surrounded by holiness and blessing.

Apart from the naming ceremony which is done soon after the birth, the parents should hold a Kiddush, a celebratory meal, in synagogue on a Shabbos day, some weeks after the birth of a girl, as a thanksgiving to G-d for her safe arrival.

If a girl was born but not named at the Torah, it is never too late. Even an adult can have a naming ceremony done for them, and hold a Kiddush to celebrate. This can only bring blessing, and who doesn't need more blessing?

Wishing your baby's soul a safe landing,

Rabbi Moss

New Classes www.bina.com.au

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Meaningful Motherhood for MOTHERS and BABIES with Mrs Nechama Dina Moss and Shternie Dadon

Discussion group for mothers

10:00-11:00am Mondays 7 Feb - 4 April Nefesh 54 Roscoe St, Bondi Beach

NEW S.T.E.P. for WOMEN with Rabbi Gourarie

Structured Torah Education Program - Module 3 - Jewish Life Cycles

1:30-2:30pm Mondays 7 Feb- 28 March 45 Bellevue Rd

NEW S.T.E.P. for MEN and WOMEN with Rabbi Yaacov Chaiton

Structured Torah Education Program - Module 8 - A Typical Jewish Day

8:15-9:15pm Mondays 7 Feb - 28 March 45 Bellevue Rd

Kabbalah - Song of the Soul for MEN and WOMEN with Rabbi Moss

A mystical approach to prayer

8:15-9:30pm Tuesdays 8 Feb - 8 March Nefesh 54 Roscoe St

Chassidus - Reshimos for WOMEN with Rabbi Moss

Inspiration from the Rebbe's personal diary

2:00-3:00pm Wednesdays 2 Feb - 6 April 45Bellevue Rd

NEW Hebrew Reading Hour (Bookings Essential) for MEN and WOMEN with Velvel Lederman

Learn to read Hebrew in seven weeks

7:30-8:05pm Wednesdays 9 Feb - 23 March 45 Bellevue Rd

NEW Hebrew Reading Hour (Bookings Essential) for MEN and WOMEN with Rabbi Spielman

Improve your Siddur fluency and understanding

7:30-8:05pm Wednesdays 9 Feb - 23 March 49 Bellevue Rd

Ethics for Life for MEN and WOMEN with Rabbi Yaacov Chaiton

Artificial Insemination, Test Tube Babies, Surrogacy, Gender Assignment and more...

8:15-9:15pm Wednesdays 9 Feb - 30 March

Character Development: De-Stressing for WOMEN with Rabbi Gourarie

Understanding the sources of stress and practical strategies to overcome it

9:20-10:15am Thursdays 3 Feb - 31 March 45 Bellevue Rd

Lunch in the City: STOP IN THE NAME OF THE LAW for MEN and WOMEN with Rabbi Moss

Cases of conflict and collaboration between Jewish and secular law

1:00-2:00pm

Thursdays

Arnold Bloch Leibler, Level 24, Chifley Tower, Sydney CBD

And much more, see www.bina.com.au

NEFESH SERVICES - 54 Roscoe St Bondi Beach

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Friday

Candlelighting 7:35pm (not before 6:29pm)

6:10pm Mincha

6:30pm - 7:15pm Shabbos Service followed by Kiddush

Shabbos day

9am Class on Weekly Parsha
10am -12:15pm Morning Service with kids program followed by Kiddush in honour of the wedding of Avishay Ziv and Jacqui Hawksworth

Shiur 6:45pm

Mincha 7:30pm folllowed by Sholosh Seudos and Maariv

Shabbos ends 8:31pm

Sunday

8am Shachris followed by beginners' Talmud and breakfast sponsored by Rev Amzalak in honour of the yorzheit of his brother Chaim ben Yitzchak z"l

Monday and Thursday

7am Shachris followed by Chassidus