Chapter 3 - The Change of Name.

One of the most curious aspects of Jewish Science is the custom, known as, "Meshanneh Hasshem" or "The Change of Name." This custom no doubt rests upon the primitive notion that the name of a person is not only an integral part of himself, but virtually equal to his own life and being. In ancient times, the name played a most important role, and great stress was laid upon the ceremony of giving names to individuals. The Chinese people, even today, lay so much emphasis on the name, that in a lifetime a person assumes many names, just as if he were a different character under each appellation. Even in modern life the value of names is shown in the custom of giving many and varied titles to royal persons as well as nobles.

At times too, the real name is concealed, and in ancient Israel, the name of the Deity was considered so sacred that it was spoken only once a year on the Day of Atonement by the High Priest. Now the custom of changing the name of a person when sick arose in the Middle Ages among the Jews. No doubt the influence of the Kabalists or Jewish Mystics fostered the popular belief that by changing his name the sufferer could be saved from death. The notion also prevailed that in this way the Angel of Death who summons a person by name, would be baffled in his mortal purpose. The name usually adopted