Parsha Va-Yishlah

D’var Torah

Shabbat December 1, 2012

Barry Fineman

The Birth of Binyamin

16 Vayis'u mi-Beit-el vayehi-od kivrat-ha'aretz lavo Efratah vateled Rachel vatekash belidetah.

They journeyed on from Beit-el, and there was still aways for their journey when Rachel began to give birth. Her labor was very difficult.

17 Vayehi behakshotah belidetah vatomer lah hameyaledet al-tire'i ki-gam-zeh lach ben.

When her labor was at its most difficult stage, her nurse said to her, "Do not fear, for this one will also be a son."

18 Vayehi betzet nafshah ki metah vatikra shmo Ben-oni ve'aviv kara-lo Binyamin.

As her soul was departing, for she died, she named him, Ben-oni [son of my sorrow], but his father named him BINYIMIN!

BINYIMIN! Binyimin! Binyimin!

Oh, How many times did I hear that NAME over and over and over again when I was in Hebrew school studying for my Bar Mitzvah, and Mrs Bitcheman yelling it out!……That is obviously my G-d given Hebrew name!

A little history so you understand where I am going with my proud story:

From this name בִּנְיָמִין (Binyamin) which means "son of the south" or "son of the right hand". Benjamin in the Old Testament is the twelfth and youngest son of Jacob/Israel, and the founder of one of the southern tribes of Israel. He was originally named בֶּן־אוֹנִי (Ben-'oniy) meaning "son of my sorrow" by his mother Rachel, who died shortly after childbirth, but it was later changed by his father, Jacob, aka Israel!

I had, as I read this passage in this week’s parsha, and have a big smile on my face, as  many years after my Bar Mitzvah and Hebrew school studies, I am again referred to or called BINYIMIN once again, and on a pretty regular basis.

My Father In-law, A mentor, a friend

Please allow me to share;

My Father in-law, Aaron, my wife’s father is a VERY, VERY pious man, extremely reverent, and very faithful to The Law of OUR people! So a few years back, we meet via Skype, as he lives in Bet Shemesh(just outside of Jerusalem), and Hendel makes the ‘formal’ intro, or as formal as one is able via internet video conferencing! “Hi, my name is Barry; I’ve heard so much about you……etc, etc.!”  At this point, my father in law to be exclaims with a Jewish Jubilance, “Ah, Your name is “BINYIMIN”! I was floored that he knew my Hebrew name! Every call after that, he always has called me, ‘BINYIMIN”

Ah, you think silently now, ‘Big deal’; he called and calls you by your Hebrew name?!

Such a big deal to ME! I just did not like it (or I should say, “I was a bit uncomfortable”), as my name is BARRY, or please call me BEAR,or Oso, but NOT Binyimin!

I really just did not get it…..yet!

Not much after that, I befriended(and now one of my dearest friends), a Rabbi that lives in my neighborhood,Rabbi Mendel Feigenson, and we meet on a regular basis now,lunch,study,etc…, and he also says with a Jewish jubilance, “Barry!? (Long pause)….  “Baruch or Binyimin?” I answer again with amazement, “Binyimin!”

My dear friend Rabbi Mendel Feigenson, a true inspiration to me!

I smile! 

I was so proud that day of my NAME, finally- BINYIMIN! Not Barry, Not Bear, Not Oso, BUT BINYIMIN! I finally understood- My Jewish Legacy.

So, two men whom I consider extremely reverent and so very scholarly in Our Heritage, in our faith, and 2 men whom I deeply love and have a great admiration for, taught me a valuable lesson;

What is in a name? And to live proudly and up to the history of your name!

Okay, Homework time friends; Go home and do a little studying and delve into the history and meaning of your Hebrew name, and see if YOU feel it, you live it.

I am PROUD & BLESSED to be, “BINYIMIN”.

Amen!!