In focusing upon the disparity between the names given to the child by his respective parents, the Ramban comments that Rachel sought to emphasize the pain and sorrow connected with his birth. In contrast, Yaakov wanted his son’s name to have an optimistic connotation. The word “oni” can be translated as “mourning” or “strength.” Yaakov sought to preserve the name that Rachel had chosen, while giving it a positive undertone.
In an article written in the winter of 1943, during the height of the slaughter in Europe, Horav Eliyahu Meir Bloch, z.l., used the words of the Ramban to encourage the brokenhearted Jews. Being a Jew in galus, exile, presents a dark and bleak picture. Indeed, what approach can embolden his spirit and strengthen his emotions? The Ramban teaches us to be optimistic in every situation. Horav Bloch cites the pasuk in Yirmiyah 6:26, “A personal mourning make for you,” The Navi teaches us that from the perspective of the individual, we are definitely mourning the death of countless thousands of our brethren.
From the perspective of Klal Yisrael, however, we should view the present time as an “eis tzarah,” a period of crisis, a time for serious introspection, repentance, and prayer. The situation calls for a spiritual awakening as we are preparing to usher in a new source of life, emphasizing the eternal nature of Klal Yisrael. We should not view it as a time for collective mourning for Klal Yisrael. True, Klal Yisrael has setbacks, moments of concern, periods of disturbance. However, each one of these periods has catalyzed new and vibrant life for Klal Yisrael. This idea should underscore our perception of the national tragedy. While we mourn the tragic loss of the individual, we recognize that Klal Yisrael, the collective nation, is eternal in nature. Our descent is the medium for our ascent.
