A Name of Distinction
R’ Moshe Gopez’s mother once came to me and asked that I add a name to hers, for she was very sick. She said that Hashem should consider her to be a different person and therefore remove the harsh decree which was placed upon her.
I thought long and hard about which name to give her. Finally, I opened a Tanach at random. I read the following pasuk from Chumash Shemot (8:19), “ושמתי פדות בין עמי ובין עמך למחר יהיה האות הזה – I shall make a distinction between My people and your people – tomorrow this sign will come about.” The word פדות (distinction) can also mean redemption or release. I therefore instructed her to adopt the name פדות. I blessed her that Hashem would release her from the bonds of her illness and send her a complete recovery.
Unfortunately, the woman suffered more agony, until she eventually returned her soul to her Maker.
The Torah portion containing this pasuk was read the week the woman passed away. I saw this as a Heavenly sign that although she was not cured, there was some purpose in the act of adding this name. It benefitted her neshamah in some way.
