עברית
Faith
One Name or Two Names?
Question
Hello Rabbi Menashe, I asked you about giving two names to a daughter, and you said it does not matter whether one or two names are given. So why is it that two names are still recommended and it is said that there is more spiritual abundance and protection with an additional name (a good name, of course)? I also heard that one must call the person by both names at least once a day or week. What is the real matter with having two names? Is it desirable or excessive? Could you please elaborate? I would appreciate it very much. Thank you.
Answer
Greetings,
The issue is not whether one or two names are given, but rather that, the more letters a name contains, the more powers and channels of blessing it has. Thus, a long name containing five letters is equivalent to two names together that also total five letters.
In communities where the custom is to name after righteous men and women mentioned in the Torah, such as Sarah, Rivka, etc., there is concern that when the daughter reaches marriageable age, a problem may arise if her name matches the mother-in-law's name — which is considered an undesirable match. Therefore, many recommend giving two names so that the chance of matching names is almost nil.
Wishing you success, Menashe Israel
