This past Tuesday, April 15th, in a ceremony in our apartment led by her two uncles, Rabbis Jonathan Freirich and Mark Kaiserman, our daughter was named Jory Hazel Ida; her Hebrew name is Revayah Chayah. She is named “Jory” in memory of Liz’s father, Jeff, who passed away last October on the third day of the Hebrew month of Heshvan. Jory was born exactly six months later, on the third day of Nissan (April 8th).
The name “Jory” is inspired by the Hebrew word “yoreh,” the autumn rains that fall in the land of Israel in the autumn month of Heshvan. This rain literally “quenches the thirst” of the parched summer ground, signaling Divine favor and heralding a new season of rebirth.
On the Hebrew calendar, certain months can have either 29 or 30 days; when a month has only 29 days it is referred to as “chaser,” which means “deficient” or “something is missing,” and when it has 30 days it is called “maleh” which means “full.” This year, the month of Heshvan had 29 days, and it was indeed a month of loss for our family. The month of Nissan, however, always has 30 days.
And so, we have named her Jory with the prayer that her birth will, like the yoreh rain, bring with it a new season of blessing and wholeness for our family.
Unfortunately, the word “yoreh” doesn’t work as her Hebrew name – not only is it masculine, it also has a double-meaning as “sharpshooter” or “sniper” or something to that effect. And so, we are giving her a Hebrew name from the same verb-root, Revayah, which means “overflows” (as in Psalm 23, “my cup runneth over”).
Jory’s first middle name, Hazel, is in memory of Saul’s father’s mother, Helen Kaiserman, with whom Jory shares her birthday. Her second middle name is in memory of Liz’s maternal grandmother, Ida Reich, whose Hebrew name was Chaya.
Jory will be blessed (and her mommy will read Torah) at Central Synagogue on the evening of Friday, April 25. The service begins at 6:00. If any of you are in town and can attend, we will be delighted to introduce Jory to you at the Oneg Shabbat following services.
