Playing the Name Game

  Yesterday at the bris of  our grandson, after the mohel performed the ritual circumcision, we heard the name  announced. The naming of Jewish babies is performed at the bris which is on the 8th day of the baby’s life. Our son and dil named their child after my father-in-law. One of the first decisions parents make when they have a child is the name. For each of our children, we made that decision, and now it was our own children’s turns. The parents decide what to name the child, put it on the birth certificate and keep it secret ( barring some leaking and hinting) from everyone else until the naming at the Bris. But throughout that time, there is sometimes  a temptation for the grandparents (that would be me!) , i.e. the  parents of the adult children (me again!!)  to drop hints with opinions about what they think the name should be. Ahem! Obviously, this kind of commenting can add to the tension that is already in … Continue reading