Changing and Adding Names – How is the Change Made?

A new name is established by declaring it before ten or more people over the age of Bar Mitzvah, because where ten are gathered, the Divine Presence rests. In a pressing situation, it suffices before three. It is ideal for the declaration to be made in a synagogue, and the one declaring the new name should be a Torah scholar who fears Heaven. If a new name becomes established among the community where everyone uses it for the person, it holds even if it wasn't formally declared. However, changing or adding a name on an identity card does not have any spiritual effect, as it is merely a document without spiritual activity.

Regarding the wording of the declaration, if the congregation is in a hurry, you can briefly say before them: "We hereby announce that Ploni (current name) son of Plonit (mother's name) will now be called (new name, if changing, or the old and new names if just adding) son of (mother's name)." Conclude with a blessing: "May it be Hashem's will that this name benefits him with an abundance of blessing and fulfillment of his heart's wishes for good, and a great elevation in Torah and service of Hashem, Amen."

However, it is better to organize ten and first recite the three Psalms: "To the chief musician, a psalm of David," "A song of ascents, out of the depths I have called you Hashem," "A maskil of David, when he was in the cave, a prayer."

After that, they say: "Hashem, Hashem, merciful God... and cleanses." We lift our eyes to the heavens and request heavenly mercy upon... (mention his current name) son of... (his mother's name). We fulfill the words of our holy Rabbis that a change of name tears up a person's decree, and now we declare that the name of... son of... shall henceforth be... (mention his new name, or the old and new one if only adding) son of.... And may the new name be accepted before You to benefit... (his new name or the old and added one) son of... (his mother's name), removing from him the attribute of judgment and harsh decrees, and canceling from him all curses and evil eyes, considering before You... (his new name or the old and added one) son of... as a newborn. And if a harsh decree or bad fortune has been decreed upon... (his current name) son of..., upon... (his new name or the old and added one) son of... it has not been decreed. May it be Your will that the verse "and Hashem will remove from you all sickness... among all your enemies" be fulfilled in... (his new name or the old and added one) son of..., "Then shall your light break forth as the morning... shall grow," "For length of days... they shall add unto you," Amen Selah."

Subsequently, it is good to recite eight verses from Psalm 119 starting with each letter of his name, in order.

Names of Places and Businesses

In the esoteric tradition, it is explained that not only do human names indicate one's essence and influence one's destiny and actions, but so do place names. As written in the Gates of Intentions regarding "Egypt," it is a narrow constraint above, and thus Israel was enslaved in Egypt. The intention is that although the source of the name "Egypt" is a person who bore that name and founded a nation, his name indicates his essence and that of his people, and their action in the world. Similarly, the name "Persia," though it is ancient, alludes to future expansion by this nation as written "Mene Mene, Tekel, Upharsin." In the Talmud, the sages expounded names of places appearing in sequence in the Torah, suggesting they are not coincidental but convey a message and moral lesson. The Bahir book attributed to Rabbi Nechunya ben HaKana writes: "Everything that the Holy One, blessed be He, created, He named according to its matter." Meaning, He called it a name according to its essence. Even the celestial bodies, each named generically 'star,' are called, in the verse: "He counts the number of the stars; to all of them He gives names." It is said, "He brings out their host by number; to all of them, by name He calls." The intention is that every star has a defined purpose. Its name, concealed from us, expresses its specific purpose, as the Radak explained in his commentary on Isaiah there. Similarly, as known, the names of the stars mentioned in the Torah express their essence. For example, 'Sun,' the vowel 'segol' under the letter 'M' is like 'Sam' - 'Fire,' indicating 'fire' is its essence. Its name insinuates its purpose; this giant star is merely a small servant performing before its Creator, doing His will to enlighten and warm the world, thereby illustrating something of the Creator's greatness, not as the misunderstood beliefs of ancient peoples who regarded this star as a deity, turning it into idolatry. Similarly, 'Mars' is so named for its redness, and even its purpose is contained in its name - to influence strength and judgments (red is the color of the attributes of might) upon the world. Thus, all stars resemble the spring and cog system of a giant clock; if there were no reason for one of them, it would not be there. Together, they are intended to create the precise hour visible on the small hands. But a child understanding only the purpose of the moving hands is sure all other systems are unnecessary. Thus, each star has a purpose expressed in its name. Some stars are permanent, and some are created for a specific purpose and perish.

Thus, we have learned that not only a person's name has significant meaning indicating and influencing his condition, but also the names of places have significant meaning. This explains the reason for changing the name of various places in the Torah after a specific event. That is because the event caused a change in the essence of the place, and so its name was also changed. Like 'Be'er Sheva,' named for the oath and the seven wells, 'Bethel' for the divine vision revealed there, and others.

It turns out influence can be mutual in both directions. Sometimes the name causes an occurrence, and sometimes the occurrence causes a name change.

Based on this, some have expounded in our time the names of new places established and then destroyed in our days: "Yamit" (related to death), and "Gush Katif" (chunk that will be picked), as hinting at their fate.

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Therefore, it should be learned that even when building a city or neighborhood, if a person establishes a factory or opens a shop for his livelihood, or in any other business, it is important to ensure a good name for the place, to benefit from the positive influence of the good name's letters, and as a good omen for success.

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