אלימלך

Elimelech is an ancient and impressive Hebrew name, composed of two linguistic elements: "Eli" meaning "my God" or "God is mine", and "melech" meaning "king" in its direct sense. The complete name conveys the profound theological message "my God is king" or "God is my king", expressing recognition of the divine as the source of supreme authority and power. This is a name with deep spiritual significance, reflecting pure faith and devotion to the Creator of the universe. In the Bible, Elimelech appears as a central figure in the Book of Ruth, one of the five Megillot (scrolls). He was a Jewish man from Bethlehem who lived during the period of the Judges, husband of Naomi and father of two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. When famine struck the land of Judah, Elimelech decided to relocate with his family to the land of Moab in search of sustenance. However, his migration ended in tragedy - he died in Moab, and after him his two sons also perished, leaving Naomi with her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah. Although Elimelech himself died early in the story, his name and decisions form the starting point for one of the most moving stories in the Bible - the tale of faith, kindness, and redemption of Ruth the Moabite, who chose to accompany her mother-in-law Naomi back to the Land of Israel. From this story would eventually emerge the Davidic royal dynasty. In Jewish tradition, the name Elimelech carries additional meanings. It symbolizes spiritual leadership and responsibility, as the word "king" indicates a role of guidance and direction. The connection between the divine element and the royal element emphasizes the principle that all human power and authority derive from divine authority. In Hasidic communities, the name gained special importance following Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk, one of the greatest Kabbalists and Hasidic leaders of the 18th century. His book "Noam Elimelech" is considered one of the foundations of Hasidism, teaching about serving God with love, the importance of the righteous person in each generation, and the connection between the spiritual and material worlds. Since then, the name Elimelech has become particularly popular among Hasidic families and tradition-observant communities, as an expression of connection to this rich spiritual heritage. Today, the name carries with it a weight of traditionalism, deep faith, and connection to ancient Jewish roots.

אֱלִימֶלֶךְ

Elimelech | Elimelekh

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Ruth 1:1-2 - And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the field of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah

In Kabbalah, the name Elimelech represents the perfect connection between the human soul and the Supreme King. It symbolizes the recognition that true kingship belongs to the Creator, and that man serves as an emissary and vessel for expressing the divine will in the world. The name carries within it the power of self-nullification and submission to the supreme will, while maintaining human dignity as a prince of the King.

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Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk (1717-1787) - Great Kabbalist and Hasidic leader | Rabbi Elimelech Firer - Rabbi and educator | Elimelech Zilbershlag - Political commentator and journalist | Elimelech Gavriel - Businessman and philanthropist

אבימלך | מלכיאל | אליעזר | אלישע | מלכי

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