"Ani Ziva Devorah bat Avarham Avinu v’ Sarah Imanu..."

25 Elul, 5771

"Ani Ziva Devorah bat Avarham Avinu v’ Sarah Imanu..."

In light of both Keshet's beautiful Naming Ceremony which I recently took part in, and of Elul,I ponder the above-mentioned as declaration, statement of identity, song of my spirit and soul.

Ziva – old, Hebrew, “menstrual flow, bleeding”, implied cyclic, decidedly woman, remarkably female. And now new, modern, Israeli, “splendid, bright, radiant, brilliance, glow.”  Smiling from the middle of the bridge that now connects the two. Describing for me that which glows from within when in darkness, a beacon to keep the shadows (of doubt? Of loneliness? Of oppression?) at bay.

(Little known fact: I first heard the name Ziva from the TV show “NCIS”. The character – formally Ziva David - is a Mossad assassin who through unlikely machinations and convolutions only script writers can dream up becomes an American citizen and NCIS agent. What I found so intriguing and endearing is that Ziva is so flawed and struggles with her shortcomings – just like so many characters in the Tanakh. 

Now honestly I did not think I had found my Hebrew name when I first caught sight of this fictional character. But something about “Ziva” sowed seeds within me that took deep root long after the end credits rolled. And when I finally looked up the etymology of the name, true understanding began to sprout.

Still, even as I write this I wonder how silly it probably sounds. Don’t judge. Greater events had more humble beginnings than this. I hope.)

And Devorah.  “Mother in Israel. Prophetess, Leader, Judge.” Uri, uri, dabri shir. Another beacon to look to in the real world, perhaps when lost in the questions and chaos.

And Avarham Avinu v’Sarah Imanu. Elders. Family. Community. Tribe. Here. Knowing some protest this tag as too telling, too identifying, even derogatory? Yet I think of family that would have me and can only be warmed by this truth.

So in meditating, I sit back and think, simply, proudly - yes.