The Torah reading that we are beginning this week which has its name from the first portion is also the same name as the book. And, indeed, a telling legend from our rabbis is the fact that they believe one of the reasons our ancestors merited liberation from bondage was the fact that they did not change their Hebrew names in Egypt. By maintaining their Hebrew names, they maintained their Jewish identity. They maintained their continuity. Even as slaves for hundreds of years, even beaten and oppressed, there was that part of them that remained true to who they were, and, therefore, worthy and able to be saved.
Names have power, way beyond simple identification purposes.
We find out this week that the University of Florida president, John Lombardi, used the name at a party a few weeks ago to refer to the incoming University System Chancellor, Adam Herbert. He used an interesting name to describe him. He was calling him that name and everything that was negative about it's implication, and he responded by a formal written apology, which has been accepted. It was an enormous put down, and yet all he did was use one word, an Oreo. And remember the Jewish people merited liberation from bondage because they did not change their Hebrew names.