Question: My name is Sharon. What is the spiritual meaning of the name “Sharon?”
Answer: Dear Sharon, The Talmud tells of Rav Meir, who was able to derive and understand a person’s nature, abilities, and mission in life based on the deeper meaning of one’s name. Unfortunately, in today’s day and age we no longer possess this ability and it is for this reason that it has become our custom to name our children after deceased relatives or sages, but we do not invent new names like we find in the Bible. That shouldn’t take away though, from the unique quality of your name. The name “Sharon” in Hebrew means “rose”, a common depiction of the Jewish nation, especially in exile. It connotes the beauty and refinement of our people in “galuth” like a rose among the thorns. As Purim is here this is also topical, as the hymn of “Shoshanas Yakov” ,”The Rose of Jacob” is the most prominent of the day’s liturgy.
Have a great Purim,
Rabbi Shlomo Soroka