The name Chana (Hannah)

Chana: Light up the world!

Question:
Can you tell me what the name Chana means?

Answer:
The Hebrew root of Chana is “Chen”, which loosely means "charm." It is the Hebrew term, that describes that elusive trait, possessed by certain special people, that makes them particularly lovable.

A charming person, is someone whom you simply enjoy being around, and always come away from their presence, feeling good.

True charm comes, from the soul. Every soul is charming, but that charm is not always visible. When the light of the soul shines outward, and is manifest in our physical self, some of our inner purity is shared with others; and therefore, we are charming.

So the name Chana really means, "one whose soul, shines through her body."
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The ultimate goal of Jewish spirituality, is to refine the body; so that it becomes a vehicle, that expresses the light of the soul.

This mission is reflected, in the three pillars of Jewish life: kosher eating, holiness in marriage and the sanctity of Shabbos.

All three help bring the charm of the soul, into the body, and the physical world:

1. The first pillar of Judaism: Kosher.
Eating is the most basic of physical activities. The laws of Kosher, are a means, to make the act of eating holy.

Every meal has to be thought out, and considered, to ensure that it touches the divine. This brings soul and transcendence, to the otherwise instinctive bodily act, of eating.

2. The second pillar: Family Purity.
Food sustains the body, but intimate relations, between man and woman, actually create that body.

The laws of family purity, are the Torah's guide, to bring sanctity and endurance, into marriage and intimate relationships.

These channels imbue the union of man and woman, even in the most bodily and physical sense, with sanctity and holiness.

3. The third pillar: Shabbos, sanctifying time.
Rather than seeing our lives, as an endless cycle going nowhere; Shabbos brings a sense of purpose, direction, and holiness, to the week.

Shabbos takes an otherwise mundane and drab life, in this physical world; and adds soul, spirit, and light and vitality.
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This is the name Chana. The three Hebrew letters, that spell the name Chana, stand for these three special Mitzvos. The letters are CH - N – H: which stand for Challah, Niddah and Hadlokas Haner.

Challah means loaf; and though today, we use this word for our Shabbos bread, in the Torah, it refers to one of the laws, of keeping kosher.

Niddah, refers to the laws of Family Purity.

Hadlokas Haner, is the lighting of Shabbos candles; which bring an aura of sanctity and light, into the home.
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This is the unique charm, that is contained in the name Chana- the power to bring the light of the soul, into the body.

You have the name, you have the charm; so light up the world!