One minute, every morning.

Do you have a Hebrew name?

Many Jewish people have two names.

The name everyone calls them, and another name that might only come out at a Bar Mitzvah, under the chuppah, or when they’re called up to the Torah.

Sometimes the two names sound similar. Sometimes they’re completely different.

But have you ever stopped to wonder why?

In Jewish tradition, a name is more than just a way of identifying someone.

It’s a connection. To our family. To our ancestors. To the generations who came before us.

Many of us are named after a grandparent or someone whose memory our family wanted to keep alive.

And in that simple act of naming, something extraordinary happens.

A person who may no longer be physically with us continues to have a presence in the world. Their name is spoken again. Their memory is carried forward. And perhaps some of their qualities and values become something we aspire to live by.

In the Torah, names often reflect a person’s story, character or circumstances.

Abraham’s name was changed from Avram to Avraham, reflecting his new calling as the father of many nations.

Jacob became Yisrael, a name connected to his struggle and transformation.

Because in Judaism, names aren’t always just about where we’ve come from.

They can also remind us of who we’re becoming.

So today, here’s a little invitation.

If you know your Hebrew name, perhaps ask yourself:

Who was I named after, and what story or legacy am I carrying?

And if you don’t know your Hebrew name, perhaps today is a wonderful day to find out.

Because sometimes, discovering the story behind our name helps us discover a little more about ourselves.