What's In a Name?

There is a fascinating Midrash Tanchuma about Betzalel’s appointment to the position of primary artisan for the tabernacle's construction. It is based on the verse: “And Moshe said to the children of Israel, 'See that God has called in the name Betzalel son of Uri son of Chur of the tribe of Judah'” (Shemos 35:30). The Midrash explores the significance and relevance of Hashem’s unique name-calling of Betzalel; elaborating that a person has three names; the name his father and mother call him, the name that people in general call him, and the name that he acquires for himself. The Midrash concludes that the most important name of all is the name that one acquires.

A person’s given name, symbolically embodying all the parental aspirations and nurturing therein, certainly has a significant and lifelong impact. This is the name that encapsulates the essential latent potential of breathtaking new life. We were all born with a unique set of circumstances to complement our latent strengths and weaknesses, and to help guide us to actualize our full potential. Betzalel, meaning “In the shadow of God” is not the only name which he is called by God, but rather his full name is utilized, “son of Uri son of Chur of the tribe of Judah”.

The name given by one’s peers is largely a reflection of the way a person is perceived by others, which is typically a function of one’s social interactions. A person cannot always choose his friends, but he can always choose how to respond. Although this name reflects significant elements of personal cultivation, it remains limited and only a window into the essence of the man. "Man sees what his eyes show him" (I Shmuel 16:7). More fundamentally, because a person is a social being, part of his essence is reflected in how he interacts with others. Rabbi Yitzchak teaches that from this verse we derive that one may only be appointed to lead by popular approval (Berachos 55a). A true leader must engage those who he is leading to bring out their best. Leadership requires social interaction and can only be successful within a receptive community. To accomplish the astonishing feat of constructing a Divine abode, Betzalel charismatically marshaled the nation's energy, wealth, and talent to glorify God through synergetic artistry of the sacred. In order to actualize his talent fully, Betzalel had to draw from his background, and develop the Mishkan’s various components in tandem with the rest of the Jewish nation. The Talmud recounts that Moshe, amazed at Betzalel’s intuition exclaimed, “B’tzeil Eil ha’yisa, v’yodatah! You were in the shadow of God, and you have known!” ibid. Here we find human appreciation of the wisdom in Betzalel’s given name as fittingly manifest through his actions.

The final and most significant name surpasses the other names because it perfectly reflects the person's true essence, the name that one is called by the Omniscient. This name is not only a product of one’s Divinely ordained circumstances, or even one’s image cultivated through social interactions, but rather a fusion of the whole person, a reflection of one’s true being as perceived by God. This name is the most accurate name, encompassing all the various facets reflecting the Divine knowledge of the “real” person; not what one could be, or would like to be, but who one truly is.

Betzalel, by virtue of his native gifts and the guidance of his upbringing, together with the name that he made for himself, whose Divinely inspired artistry fashioned the tabernacle, was worthy to ultimately be called by God “Betzalel”/ “In the shadow of God”.

The three names of a person, with all their distinctions and evolutions are ultimately meant to harmonize. Betzalel was true to himself and developed himself to God’s delight. God sees to the inner heart (I Shmuel 16:7) and deemed him worthy of his name, Betzalel.

Dear parents, pray for inspiration to choose a name that will ring true to your precious little one for a lifetime and beyond. This little one will become great!