Yitzchak Zev - Behind the name

The bris for our son was on Wednesday, June 18. We named him Yitzchak Zev.
Below is the speech that Moshe said, which explains the reasons we chose his name and the meanings behind the names. Enjoy and Mazel Tov!

It is with great gratitude to Hashem Yisbarach that we have reached this milestone.  My wife, Shoshana, and I have been tremendously blessed to be brought up in very close knit, loving families.  As children, and even today, we interact in warm positive ways with our grandparents on a very regular basis.  It is with that in mind, that we feel extremely honored to be able to name our son after two of our grandfathers.  Shoshana's Grandpa Phillip Sternfeld, Issac Feivel ben Moshe HaLevi A"H, and my Grandfather Cantor William Rosenbloom, Zev ben Issur HaCohen A"H. 

Grandpa Phil

The name Yitzchak is the Hebrew form of Shoshana's grandfather's name - Isaac Feivel.  He was a kind man of integrity, who cared so much about other people.  His love for his family knew no bounds; there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for his children and grandchildren.  Grandpa Phil was known for his friendly nature, even to strangers.  He would quickly learn the names of store clerks, airline flight attendants, etcetera and make them feel appreciated by using their names in conversation.  Grandpa Phil loved and celebrated the achievements of his grandchildren and was very proud of them.  When I first met him, I felt his love right away and was instantly, warmly welcomed into his family.

Papa Bill

We also gave our son the name Zev after my maternal grandfather, who served as a role model for my family in so many ways.  He is fondly remembered in his community as always having a nice word or joke to brighten your day, and in my family, he was a constant source of love and encouragement for me and my siblings.  Aside from leading davening on Shabbos and Yomim Noraim and layning regularly in shul, he also is where I first encountered a love of Torah.  I spent many Shabbos's and Moadim in his home and I fondly remember watching him learn.  He would often share stories from the parsha or other halachos he was learning at the time, and from there I could tell that Torah and Mitzvos where something important and special.  He was and continues to be a source of inspiration for me, as I endeavor to teach the same to my children. 

The Brisker Rav

While we felt we had two excellent Jewish names to give our son, we weren't sure which order they should be in.  Many years ago, before the birth of our oldest daughter, Sara Chana, our Rav, Rabbi Ephraim Freidman of Chicago, while teaching us many halachos pertaining to childbirth, asked if we had any names picked out.  It was then that we learned of the Brisker Rav, Rav Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchek HaLevi ZT"L.  He served as the Rav of city of Brisk and in Yerushalyim for many years.  He was also a member of a family of Torah giants stretching from the Beis HaLevi through modern times.   According to many he was the greatest Rav of his generation.  He was known for his ability to see long term consequences often hidden to others, humbly refusing to rule on halachaic matters when he was not 100% sure, and once he had arrived at a firm halachic decision, standing confidently by it.

Gevurah in malchus

Our son Yitzchak Zev was born on the 44th day of the omer.  During the omer, every day is given a specific focus for personal improvement and growth by our chachamim.  On that day, the focus is Gevurah She'be Malchus, strength within kingship.  Gevurah is often translated as strength, but it usually refers not to might or power, but to restraint, the strength of character required to hold one's self back.  In this case, it is the character trait of having authority but wisely choosing to not exercise that authority when the situation requires it.  That is a key quality required of any good leader, to know when to push forward with confidence and when to wait.  We also know that it is no coincidence that Gevurah is the primary characteristic of Yitzchak Avinu.

It is our bracha to Yitzchak Zev that he use his strength grow to Torah, to Chuppah, and to Maasim Tovim.  May he merit to follow in the footsteps of his ancestors and serve his community and family with love and simcha.