"Lekol Yish Yesh Shem"

''Every Man Has a Name'' is a Hebrew poem penned by the Israeli poet Zelda (1914-1984) and was published in 1974.

The poem draws inspiration from an excerpt from the Parasha Vayakhel, elucidating the commandments for establishing the Tabernacle.

The paracha articulates:

"A person has three names:

One that he is called by his father and mother;

One that people know him by,

And one he acquires for himself.”*

This poem stands out among Zelda's notable works and is often recited or sung during Yom Hashoah ceremonies in Israel. It aims to restore the names and individuality of the millions of people who perished during the Shoah.

The song version made its debut through Chava Elberstein on her album "Like a Wild Plant" (1975) and can be enjoyed on the YouTube video below.

For the complete lyrics, you can find them in Hebrew on this link. Below are the first two stanzas of the poem.

Lechol ish yesh shem

shenatan lo elohim

venatnu lo aviv ve'imo

Lechol ish yesh shem

shenatnu lo komato

ve'ofen chiyucho

venatan lo ha'arig

sources:

http://hebrewsongs.com/song-lecholishyeshshem.htm

*את מוצא שלשה שמות נקראו לו לאדם, אחד מה שקוראים לו אביו ואמו, ואחד מה שקוראין לו בני אדם, ואחד מה שקונה הוא לעצמו. טוב מכולן מה שקונה הוא לעצמו. https://www.tarbuty.org.il/page/35486/3