''Every Man Has a Name'' is a Hebrew poem penned by the Israeli poet Zelda (1914-1984) and was published in 1974.
The poem draws inspiration from an excerpt from the Parasha Vayakhel, elucidating the commandments for establishing the Tabernacle.
It articulates:
"A person has three names:
One that he is called by his father and mother;
One that people know him by,
And one he acquires for himself.”*
This poem stands out among Zelda's notable works and is often recited or sung during Yom Hashoah ceremonies in Israel. It aims to restore the names and individuality of the millions of people who perished during the Shoah.
The song version made its debut through Chava Elberstein on her album "Like a Wild Plant" (1975) and can be enjoyed on this YouTube video.
For the complete lyrics, you can find them in Hebrew on this link.
Lechol ish yesh shem
shenatan lo elohim
venatnu lo aviv ve'imo
Lechol ish yesh shem
shenatnu lo komato
ve'ofen chiyucho
venatan lo ha'arig
Lechol ish yesh shem
shenatnu lo heharim
venatnu lo k'talav
Lechol ish yesh shem
shenatnu lo hamazalot
venatnu lo shchenav
Lechol ish yesh shem
shenatnu lo chat'av
venatna lo k'mihato
Lechol ish yesh shem
shenatnu lo son'av
venatna lo ahavato
Lechol ish yesh shem
shenatnu lo chagav
venatna lo mel'achto
Lechol ish yesh shem
shenatnu lo tkufot hashanah
venatan lo ivrono
Lechol ish yesh shem
shenatan lo hayam
venatan lo moto.
sources:
http://hebrewsongs.com/song-lecholishyeshshem.htm
*את מוצא שלשה שמות נקראו לו לאדם, אחד מה שקוראים לו אביו ואמו, ואחד מה שקוראין לו בני אדם, ואחד מה שקונה הוא לעצמו. טוב מכולן מה שקונה הוא לעצמו.
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