Eight days ago my sister-in-law, Ruthy, gave birth to a wonderful boy (after two magnificent daughters). Today we celebrated with them the joining of this boy to the Jewish nation in the Brit (בְּרִית) ceremony that took place in a local synagogue. On this occasion the family revealed the name of the boy - Li’or Yishay (לִיאוֹר יִשַׁי). His father, Ram Cohen-Eyal, read a wonderful blessing and I chose to translate it and share it with you.

“Beloved son,

I would like to begin with a little confession -

For the last six months or so we called you “Xamudi” (חֲמוּדִי, Sweetie) -

Inside your mommy’s belly, you made a very good impression!

We kindly talked about you and to you,

And tried to imagine what would happen when the day is due.

And now, when you’re out, and everything went by impeccably,

It is time to give you a “grown-up name”, a name of quality.

Beloved boy - we wanted to give you a name -

A name that would let everyone know,

How blessed we became when you did show.

We wanted an optimistic yet popular name,

A name that relates to the family from which you came -

A name that strengthens beliefs and values, and lights up the flame.

A name that your pure-gold sisters, Ma’ayan and ‘Einav,

Would love.

For seven days, we went back and forth

We looked at the bible, and the dictionaries -

What would your name become henceforth?

We recited some names, we wanted to feel,

We wanted your name to become real.

Finally, miraculously,

The combination evolved

Li’or-Yishay

Or as we prefer - Li’ori-Shay

As of Li’or: (לִיאוֹר, a light for me)

Upon your arrival you brought us all

Great light (אוֹר, Or), calmness, a sense of accomplishment, and joy.

May you continue to light up and glow,

And the rest would simply flow.

And as of Yishay (יִשַׁי, Jessie - the father of King David, the grandson of Ruth)

Apparently - a simple name:

From right to left and from left to right (ישי), however, it reads the same!

It closes all circles - we proclaim.

It begins with יֵשׁ (yesh = there is) - as optimistic as could be

And it ends with a Yod (י) that symbolizes G-d - there is God!

If you read the Yod (י) first and then the “שַׁי” (Shay = present, gift) -

God’s gift - what a delight!

Your name is tied to us on the biblical story

Your mother Ruth, your father Ram, and you - Yishay -

To the Ruth Dynasty we all apply.

And if the meaning is too heavy on you,

And if the change is too much,

You may always go back to the nickname Xamui - which we love so much!”

MAZAL TOV !!!  מזל טוב

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