Faith Sigal Jacobson
A few people have asked why we waited to name her so here is the story.
Boys are named at their bris (circumcision) on the 8th day. Its not forbidden to announce the name before the bris but in a metaphysical sense the child only ‘receives’ his name during the ceremony at his bris.
The naming of a Jewish girl is a very spiritual moment. The naming ceremony is linked to the public reading of the Torah. This is usually on a Monday, Thursday or Saturday morning. The blessing begins with a prayer for the mother’s health. It continues with the giving of the baby’s name and a prayer that this new Jewish daughter should grow to be a wise and understanding Jewish woman of goodness and greatness.
Since Faith was born on Sunday, Paul should have been in shul on the Monday to name her but the service started very early and he wasnt able to make it as he was looking after Aaron. Today is a public holiday and as such Shul started a bit later and one of the teachers from Aarons school offered to look after him while Paul was at Shul. So Paul named her today.
Traditionally Ashkenazi Jews name children after a deceased relative, not only to honour the deceased but also to inspire the child to live up to that persons name. Serphadi Jews name after living relatives as well as deceased relatives.
We are Ashkenazi and as such chose to name Faith after my grandmother who passed away almost a year ago. Her ‘english’ name was Fanyse and her Hebrew name was Feiga. Faiths second name is Sigal, it is a hebrew name meaning violet (sigalit is a type of violet in Israel) or meaning treasure. We chose Sigal to honour my late grandfather Sydney and Pauls late aunt Sandra.
Her hebrew name is Feiga Sigal bat Nachama (Feiga Sigal ‘daughter of’ Nechama – my hebrew name).
So, in a nutshell, Faith received her name today at shul in honour of two great grandparents and a great aunt.