Note: This sample ceremony can be adapted with personal readings and texts and used for anyone choosing a Hebrew name.
TAKING A HEBREW NAME: PRIOR TO THE MIKVAH
Rabbi: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)
Maryiha: “Every time a woman increases the number of good deeds she performs, she adds to her good name. You find that a woman is known by three names: the name by which her father and mother call her, the name by which others call her, and the one she earns for herself; the most important name is the one she earns for herself.” (Tanchuma, Vayakhel 1)
Rabbi: “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1)
Maryiha: Each of us has a name
given by God
and given by our parents
Each of us has a name
given by the stars
and given by our neighbors
Each of us has a name
given by our enemies
and given by our love
Each of us has a name
given by our celebrations
and given by our work
(from “Each of Us Has a Name” by Zelda)
IN THE MIKVAH:
After preparation, walk down the seven steps. Prior to the first immersion:
“Ribono shel Olam, Sovereign of the Universe, I stand in these living waters ready to claim the identity You have woven for me. I enter these waters as a daughter of Israel, stepping away from the nameless space of my past. May this first immersion wash away my doubts, open my heart to Torah, and prepare my soul to be called by my true Hebrew name.”
First immersion: Immerse entirely, so that all of your hair is also submerged, then come up and say:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל הַטְּבִילָה
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al ha-tevilah.
“Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us concerning immersion.”
Second immersion: Immerse entirely, so that all of your hair is also submerged, then come up and say:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam, shehecheyanu, v’kiyimanu, v’higiyanu la-zman ha-zeh.
“Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has sustained us, held us up, and enabled us to reach this sacred moment.”
Third immersion: Immerse entirely, so that all of your hair is also submerged, then come up and say:
“My name is Moriah. I am rooted like the holy mountain, surrounded by God’s love, and steadfast in my faith. I step forward into the world as Moriah.”
