Shemot: Names

When naming our two cats, our daughters chose from names they had picked out in anticipation, should the time come to adopt our next furry family. How were the names assigned? The girls watched the antics and nature of the kittens and picked from the list the names which best suited each individual.

In Judaism, the naming process depends upon whether you come from an Ashkenazi (European) or Sephardi background,( descendants of those who were forced out of Spain and Portugal) an Eidot ha Mizrach ( Asian and some African Jewish communities) or are becoming Jewish, in which case you are considered a child of Avraham v'Sarah.

Ashkenazim name their offspring after deceased relatives in order to keep the memory alive; Sepharadim name their children after a living relative (usually a grandparent) whom they wish to honor. In both cases, it is hoped that the GOOD traits will be the ones inherited.

Yet, all humans ( and perhaps all felines) are a mix of good and bad traits: the same potentialities which exist within our Divine Parent. Our names are not necessarily our destiny (Hear that, Nudnik-kitty?)