The Meaning of Names Starting with M, N, or S According to Judaism

Each of the twenty-two Hebrew letters is merely an outer shell for a specific spiritual power embedded within it, distinguishing it from other letters. Everything in creation is fundamentally formed from various letter combinations. The 'spiritual illumination' (a term far surpassing our contemporary term 'energy') inherent in each letter flows and operates through three modes:

1. The pronunciation of the letter
2. The written form of the letter
3. The numerical value of the letter.

Because each letter contains a certain spiritual power, the letters of a person's name serve as channels for spiritual abundance for that person, based on what is embedded in those letters. As it is written in the book "Od Yosef Chai": "And the point is, 'a living soul, it is his name!' – every person's vitality [what enlivens and activates them] depends on the letters of their name, which are their channels of abundance.

The influence of the letter M – symbolizing transition and movement in a person's name

When the letter M appears in a person's name, especially at the beginning, it grants them the ability to change their place and status, and to reach higher levels. This manifests primarily in their aspiration and ability to elevate themselves spiritually, and their willingness to initiate stepping out of their place to help others in any area, even at their own expense. They have a powerful inner capacity to escape negative situations, such as avoiding sin and overcoming financial difficulties. However, they must be careful that their tendency towards change doesn’t lead them away from beneficial situations or harm themselves through excessive giving to others. This person greatly desires peaceful and serene life, akin to calm waters, and is willing to sacrifice much to achieve this goal.
On a spiritual level, the wisdom of the Torah, hinted at in the letter M, causes them to love spiritual experiences. Still, they must be cautious to not be misled by illusions masquerading as spirituality, and should channel this love into vigorous Torah study and effort to understand its depths, ultimately reaching lofty achievements and soaring wisdom. This spiritual trait grants them the ability to empathize deeply with others and possess deep intuitive insights often striking the truth.
On the other hand, they must beware of impulsiveness and rashness in their actions, not to act like "rushing waters." This is achieved by training oneself to be measured in actions, always considering the consequences, akin to "thought before action." They must also be wary of disarray and mental tumult like ocean waves, by organizing their thoughts to methodically assess every matter they deal with, ensuring their decisions are good and correct. For impulsiveness and disorderly thinking can lead them to sin, monetary loss, character corruption, and ultimately remove them from the world.
Therefore, as mentioned, they should invest the talents and love for wisdom they have received in Torah study, whose words straighten thought and rejoice the heart, educate and train a person to be considerate and deliberate. It is particularly beneficial for them to delve into the sea of the Talmud and its commentators, and subsequently labor to clarify and resolve halachic questions in responsa literature. When they recognize any flaw in their character, they should study ethical works on that matter’s defects and methods of combatting them until they rectify all their actions and ways, reaching their deserved completeness, in Torah, mitzvot, and good deeds.

The influence of the letter N – symbolizing faithfulness, humility, and eternity in a person's name

When the letter N appears in a person's name, especially at the beginning, they receive through it a refined soul and high spiritual sensitivity, which can elevate them to gracious humility and absolute fidelity to the Creator, their family, and everyone around them. They have the potential to reach lofty sanctity and exceptional discernment beyond normal human understanding, knowing secrets and mysteries of creation and life, and possessing manifest integrity, for the letter N represents the higher spiritual soul. However, through free will, they may use these spiritual forces negatively, leading to severe and painful downfalls, extreme infidelity, a decline in deeds up to criminality, suffering and trials, and their major challenge will be in the flaw of the covenant, which is the secret of unity inherent in the letter N.
And thus it is with the bent N, considered female, even more so with the final straight N considered male. When it appears in their name, it brings them to spiritual elevation with immense power, humility, and attachment to Hashem, and impressive social leadership, or, Heaven forbid, steep and strong spiritual decline, and negative leadership. They can be very beloved or, Heaven forbid, completely despised and rejected.
Therefore, a person with the letter N in their name should endeavor to channel its strength into good deeds and a holy life according to the guidance of the Creator and the book of laws He provided. They must be especially wary of the evil inclination, the primordial serpent hinted at by the letter N, watching over them seeking their fall, particularly regarding the sanctity of the covenant.
And here too, as with all spiritual illnesses and dangers, the remedy is in setting fixed times for Torah study. They should increase and regularly continue learning Torah every day. This learning will offer practical guidance in every trial, and a high internal illumination to strengthen and assist them in standing against every temptation, especially in matters of sanctity. For the love of the Torah that fills their hearts is the sole love capable of nullifying all improper desires. As the Rambam wrote about avoiding sinful thoughts: "Turn his thoughts to words of Torah, and broaden his mind with wisdom. For lustful thoughts only strengthen when one's heart is empty of wisdom [Torah wisdom]. And regarding wisdom, it is said: 'A loving deer and a graceful doe. May her breasts satisfy you at all times, with her love be you ravished always.'" Through Torah study and cultivation of character, they will merit to be properly corrected in humility and loyalty, leading eternal lives clinging to the Hashem.

The influence of the letter S – symbolizing closure and protection in a person's name

When the letter S appears in a person's name, especially at the beginning, they receive through it a tendency toward introspection and internal seclusion with many implications.
On the one hand, they can reflect upon themselves keenly, delve into words of wisdom and character refinement, and deeply investigate the Torah. If they choose this lifestyle, they become refined in spirit and are granted special protection by Hashem, as the letter S operates to guard and protect them from all harm and sorrow, making them always joyful and good-hearted.
On the other hand, if they do not refine and direct themselves onto proper paths, they struggle to accept criticism from others, always believing they are in the right. (Therefore, those close to them must learn how to speak with them, gently and respectfully, to enter their hearts and convince them of what needs to be done). On one hand, they are brave. On the other hand, stubborn. They are kind-hearted, eager to help others, but once criticized, they might turn away. They dislike having their heart's shell breached without permission. Yet when convinced of the correctness of advisors and rebukers, they accept their words without further dispute and act energetically to implement the truth and the appropriate course. It is easier for them to express and articulate their thoughts than to listen to and consider the opinions and thoughts of others. However, seclusion can make them somewhat insensitive and lacking in approach and tact, causing astonishment and discomfort for those around them, often without them realizing it. They have difficulty expressing their feelings despite deep loyalty and devotion to their family, experiencing this challenge both in expressing closeness and voicing grievances. Consequently, they might experience sudden outbursts of accumulated anger, like a volcano erupting. Their integrity sometimes makes them say what others refrain from saying, despite any embarrassment this may cause. They only feel bitterness and sorrow and don't know how to resolve it, and in seeking an escape, they may fall repeatedly, especially concerning the sanctity of the covenant.
Therefore, the wise man has his eyes in his head, opting to use the powers of closure and guarding within him, to shield his eyes from seeing immodest sights and sullying his soul; his mouth from forbidden speech such as gossip and unseemly language; and from consuming forbidden foods that pollute the soul. Against these formidable tests, they have received strong abilities allowing them to withstand challenges and ascend through them. As mentioned, they must be cautioned against despair and succumbing to the temptation, particularly in matters of covenant sanctity.
By choosing the straight and good path, they will receive special protection from harm and defense against enemies, proportionate to measure for measure guidance. They guard themselves against falling into the temptation's net, and Hashem guards them from all sorrow, distress, and injury. Such a person also merits the title 'righteous,' in the secret of the verse: "and the righteous is the foundation of the world." As hinted in the sequence of letters: S' P' Z'. If they close and guard (S') their eyes (Ayin') and mouth (P') they are righteous (Tz').
Yet to achieve this, they need the best spiritual remedy – daily Torah study, attending lessons from a true Torah scholar who fears Hashem. Consistently seek advice from a learned and pious teacher who will guide them in every significant matter, fulfilling the sages' saying: "appoint for yourself a teacher." This is how they will always be happy, walking the path of truth.
For through the power of choice given to a person, one can use the illumination of the letter for good or bad.

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