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Have you ever noticed that if someone were to faint, the first thing that the people around them would do is scream that person's name? This is because a name is deeply connected to a person essence. By screaming someone's name, you are trying to awaken their inner core. In the Bible, Yaakov was given his name because he was born holding onto his brother Esau's ankle. The name Yaakov stems from the Hebrew word for ankle. Having been born second and literally holding onto his brother's ankle symbolizes what could have been Yaakov's passive role in history. After Yaakov's struggle with God from which he emerged victorious, his name was changed to Yisrael which means "who prevails with God". This event was so significant in Yaakov's life, that his name had to be changed to match his new identity and reality. This is the importance and significance of one's name.
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