Yehudit and Matityahu

This is my name in Hebrew, and how you pronounce my babies name in Hebrew.  My son is learning all about Chanukah in school and was telling me the story of Yehudit (Yehudis or Judith other variations.) You can read more detail here, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yehudit but below is an overview, its quite graphic.

Plot Summary

The Book of Judith has a tragic setting that appealed to Jewish patriots and it warned of the urgency of adhering to Mosaic law, generally speaking, but what accounted for its enduring appeal was the drama of its narrative. The story revolves around Judith, a daring and beautiful widow, who is upset with her Jewish countrymen for not trusting God to deliver them from their foreign conquerors. She goes with her loyal maid to the camp of the enemy general, Holofernes, with whom she slowly ingratiates herself, promising him information on the Israelites. Gaining his trust, she is allowed access to his tent one night as he lies in a drunken stupor. She decapitates him, then takes his head back to her fearful countrymen. The Assyrians, having lost their leader, disperse, and Israel is saved. Though she is courted by many, Judith remains unmarried for the rest of her life.

I was named after my great, grandmother who was a Mizrahi Jew, born in Chechnya which is now over run by guerrillas, she was a very strong and wise woman.  She was born in Chechnya, which now is over run by guerrillas.  Their Jewish community dates back to the time of Purim.  So my baby was also born in the spring right after Purim, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purim, but I named him Matisyahu because I loved the name, and he represented all the M's in both of our families.  Matisyahu was the father of the Macabees in the Chanukah story.  Both Yehudit and Matityahu saved the Jewish people from destruction.

So it occurred to me that both my baby and I, our names, stem from the Chanukah story.  He is the only one that looks like me, resembling my Mizrahi ancestors.  We definitely have a special connection and our namesakes are from strong and passionate characters, that would do anything to preserve their culture and traditions.




I Love Connections,
Chanukah is tomorrow night,
Thanksgiving is Thursday,
Also my husband's birthday,
Excited,
Let the celebrations to begin!
YAY,
Coach Yulia