that the greatest man is not he who dwells in the purple, amid palaces and courtiers, hedged and guarded, and magnified by illusive pomp, but he who, talking cheerfully with his fellows in the marketplace, humble as though he were unworshipped, and poor as though he were unregarded, is divinely enkindled, so that a light shines from him whereby men recognize the visible presence of God." CHAPTER III. The Change of Name. One of the most curious aspects of Jewish Science is the custom, known as, "Meshanneh Hasshem" or "The Change of Name." This custom no doubt rests upon the primitive notion that the name of a person is not only an integral part of himself, but virtually equal to his own life and being. In ancient times, the name played a most important role, and great stress was laid upon the ceremony of giving names to individuals. The Chinese people, even today, lay so much emphasis on the name, that in a lifetime a person assumes many names, just as if he were a different character under each appellation. Even in modern life the value of names is shown in the custom of giving many and varied titles to royal persons as well as nobles. At times too, the real name is concealed, and in ancient Israel, the name of the Deity was considered so sacred that it was spoken only once a year on the Day of Atonement by the High Priest. Now the custom of changing the name of a person when sick arose in the Middle Ages among the Jews. No doubt the influence of the Kabalists or Jewish Mystics fostered the popular belief that by changing his name the sufferer could be saved from death. The notion also prevailed that in this way the Angel of Death who summons a person by name, would be baffled in his mortal purpose. The name usually adopted was "Chayyim," which means Life. No doubt, it was believed that this name possessed vitalizing power. The custom of changing the name of a sick person came down through the ages, and is still practised by the Jewish people. Usually, when death seems imminent, the family of the sick person requests their rabbi to call together a special Minyan or religious assembly at the local synagogue. The regular evening or morning service is held, and at the end of the devotion, the rabbi states in a specific formula that the name of so and so is changed to such and such. A special prayer for the sick person is also offered. Such a ceremony is in vogue among those Jews who have been under the influence of the Chasidic or Jewish Science movement. Still, many devout Jews to-day resort to the custom in the hour of extreme sickness. I was reared in a radical Jewish atmosphere and had never witnessed the performance of this rite, although I had known it from my Jewish studies. One day, an instance occurred which completely changed my attitude towards the question of healing by faith. Mr. and Mrs. A. were a couple whom I had united in marriage in Mobile several years ago. I was always deeply interested in their welfare, and when a daughter was born to them, I became closely attached to her. When the little child was a year old, she became very sick. Several physicians were called, and they brought their best medical skill to bear. The child grew steadily worse, and finally all hope was abandoned by the attending physicians. The mother became distracted, and naturally appealed to her family and friends for suggestions. A relative who had once witnessed the Change of Name ceremony, suggested it to the mother. As a last hope, she requested me to come at once to perform the rite. I was compelled to turn to certain Jewish works in order to learn the proper mode of procedure, for I had never taken part in or performed the ceremony. There was no time left even to call together a Minyan at the Temple. When I arrived at the home, I found the child in a critical state. Boldly varying the usual form, I took the infant in my arms, prayed with all my strength to God, and then at the mother's advice declared the name changed from Rebecca to Ruth. I left the house shortly after the incident, and later learnt that the child began to improve at once. To-day she is three years old, and has been in fairly good health. Ever since, the parents and other friends have been firmly convinced of the efficacy of the rite. From this time too, began my own interest in Jewish Science. Let me state that at first I was altogether skeptical about the ceremony, and reluctant to perform it. But the anguish of a mother's heart could not be resisted, and I concentrated my whole being on the act of prayer for Divine Healing. Since then I have been told of many more instances of the change of name. In some cases the rite proved successful, and, in others, the patients failed. to recover. |