1. The Significance of Name Changes in Lech Lecha
This week’s Torah and Tea focuses on the portion of Lech Lecha—“Go for yourself”—and explores two sichos from the Rebbe. A central theme is the name changes of both Avraham and Sarah. Originally, Avraham was called Avram, and Sarai was her name before it became Sarah. While at first glance a name change might not seem significant, Jewish tradition teaches that when parents name a child, there is a spark of ruach hakodesh—divine inspiration—guiding them to choose the right name, which serves as a vessel for the child’s spiritual energy. This underscores that names are meaningful and impactful.
The Torah illustrates this concept with Adam, who had the wisdom to assign fitting names to every animal and species, demonstrating that names carry deep significance. However, not every name given by parents necessarily reflects the true essence or destiny of the individual, especially if those parents are not spiritually attuned or connected to Jewish tradition, as in the case of Avram’s father Terach.
2. The Meaning Behind Avraham’s Name Change
The Torah explicitly states that Hashem told Avram: “Do not call yourself Avram anymore; your name shall be Avraham.” The verse explains this change: “Av hamon goyim nesaticha—I have made you a father of a multitude of nations.” Rashi interprets “Avraham” as an abbreviation: “Av ham,” meaning “father of many.” The addition of the letter hey signifies his expanded role as father to all nations.
An intriguing detail arises regarding the letter reish. If the new name is meant to be “Av ham,” why does the reish from “Avram” remain in “Avraham”? Rashi explains that even before his new mission, Avram’s original name had meaning: he was a father (av) to Aram Naharayim, his birthplace. Now he becomes a father to all nations but retains his connection to Aram through the preserved reish. Removing it would diminish his original significance, so Hashem leaves it in place out of respect for its prior role.
3. The Feelings and Role of Letters in Names
The discussion delves into an unusual idea: letters themselves have spiritual significance and even “feelings.” When a letter is part of a Tzaddik’s—righteous person’s—name and is removed, it is considered as if the letter feels bad or has grievances. This is illustrated with Avraham: had Hashem removed the reish, it would have been like taking something precious away from both Avraham and the letter itself. Thus, Hashem preserves it within his new name.
This concept extends to Sarah as well. Her original name was Sarai (ending with a yud). When her name changed to Sarah (ending with a hey), the letter yud was entirely removed rather than retained or repurposed within her new identity. Rashi relates that this caused distress for the letter yud, which had been part of a righteous woman’s name.
4. The Journey of the Letter Yud from Sarai to Yehoshua
The fate of Sarai’s lost yud is addressed through another episode in Torah: before sending out spies to scout Eretz Yisrael, Moshe Rabbeinu changes his student Hoshea’s name to Yehoshua by adding a yud. This act appeases the displaced letter, giving it renewed purpose in another Tzaddik’s name.
A fascinating detail emerges regarding vowels: usually “Ben” (son) is spelled with three dots (segol) under the letter bet. In Yehoshua’s case, it appears as “Bin Nun,” with only one dot (chirik). The explanation given is that two dots from Ben’s segol were transferred beneath Yehoshua’s new yud (forming a shva), symbolically connecting these textual nuances back to Sarai’s lost yud.
5. Why Some Letters Remain and Others Do Not
The Rebbe explains why Hashem could leave the reish in Avraham but could not leave the yud in Sarah. Being both father of Aram and father of many nations does not conflict; thus, both aspects can coexist within Avraham’s identity and his name can retain its original element alongside its new meaning.
Sarai/Sarah presents a different case: Sarai means “my princess,” implying personal dominion or mastery (possibly over her husband). However, according to Rashi and further explained by the Rebbe, she was never truly Avraham's master nor did her original name reflect her true character or destiny. Her parents gave her that name without prophetic insight or spiritual intent. Therefore, when Hashem changes her role from private (“my princess”) to universal (“princess for all”), He cannot leave any remnant of her old status—hence no yud remains in Sarah.
6. Lessons from Letters’ Attachment to Tzaddikim
This entire discussion highlights how much significance Torah places on names—and even on individual letters—especially when associated with Tzaddikim. If even a single letter feels aggrieved at being removed from such an association and must be appeased by being placed elsewhere (as with Sarai's yud moving to Yehoshua), how much more should we value our own connection to Tzaddikim?
If we have an opportunity to be part of a Tzaddik's legacy—to carry their teachings or be identified with their movement—we should treasure that connection deeply. Just as letters strive not to be separated from righteous names, so too should we cherish our spiritual associations and never take them lightly.
7. The Three Altars Built by Avraham
The second sicha discussed addresses another aspect from Parshas Lech Lecha: Avraham built three altars (Mizbechos). Each altar had its own reason: one was built after Hashem promised him children and Eretz Yisrael—a gesture of gratitude; another was constructed as prayer for his descendants’ protection against failure; while Rashi does not specify why he built the third altar.
The Rebbe elaborates that sometimes our connection or gratitude toward Hashem transcends specific reasons—it becomes an inherent bond beyond rational explanation or individual events. This reflects an essential relationship between Jew and Hashem that persists regardless of circumstances.
8. Closing Thoughts and Practical Takeaway
The shiur concludes by emphasizing how every detail—even down to individual letters—matters deeply in Torah thought and spiritual life. If such care is shown for letters attached to Tzaddikim's names, we should all strive never to lose our own connection with Tzaddikim or their teachings but instead hold them precious throughout our lives.