THE TRUE NAMES OF THE PLANETS
The Torah's Command – A Clear Warning!
The Torah gives us a direct and powerful command: We must never mention the names of foreign gods! Hashem tells us plainly:
וּבְכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־אָמַ֥רְתִּי אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם תִּשָּׁמֵ֑רוּ וְשֵׁ֨ם אֱלֹהִ֤ים אֲחֵרִים֙ לֹ֣א תַזְכִּ֔ירוּ לֹ֥א יִשָּׁמַ֖ע עַל־פִּֽיךָ (שמות כ"ג:י"ג)
"In all that I have spoken to you, you shall be careful, and the name of other gods you shall not mention; it shall not be heard upon your mouth." (Shemot 23:13)
This is not just advice—it is a warning! The names commonly used for the planets today are taken from idol worship, and we must stay far away from them! Instead, we must use their true names, the ones that honor the creation of Hashem and are free from any idolatrous connection!
The Importance of Using the Right Names – A Matter of Honor!
Imagine if someone called you by the name of an idol! Wouldn't that be painful? Wouldn't you feel dishonored? Now think about the planets—Hashem placed them in the sky for signs, for seasons, and to declare His greatness. Yet, people gave them names of false gods instead! How could we allow that? These celestial wonders have real, beautiful Hebrew names, and it is our responsibility to restore them! We must return to the true names, the ones that have meaning, the ones that align with Hashem's creation! Every time we use their real names, we bring back the honor they deserve!
The Heavens Declare Hashem’s Glory!
The stars and planets themselves proclaim Hashem’s greatness! As it says in Tehilim:
(תהילים י"ט:ב) הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם מְסַפְּרִ֥ים כְּבוֹד־אֵ֑ל וּמַֽעֲשֵׂ֥ה יָ֜דָ֗יו מַגִּ֥יד הָֽרָקִֽיעַ
"The heavens declare the glory of Hashem, and the sky proclaims His handiwork." (Tehilim 19:2)
How could we call them by names of false gods when they themselves testify to Hashem’s honor? Every time we look up at the sky, we see His creation shining before us! Let us honor that by using the names that truly reflect their role in Hashem’s universe!
Kochav (כּוֹכָב)
The closest planet to the Sun is properly called Kochav, meaning "star," though it refers to a planet in this case. This name has been known in Hebrew for generations.
Nogah (נוֹגָהּ)
The second planet from the Sun is called Nogah, meaning "brightness" or "radiance." It is one of the brightest objects in the sky, living up to its name.
Aretz (אָרֶץ)
Our own planet does not bear the name of an idol. In Hebrew, it is simply called Aretz, meaning "Earth." Since it has no idolatrous name, it is acceptable to call it "Earth" in English as well.
Yareach (יָרֵחַ)
The Moon is called Yareach. These names have always been in use and are free of idolatry.
The Mystery of Planet 9
Planet 9 refers to a celestial body beyond Rahav, which has long been debated by astronomers. Since its name is unknown and no definitive Hebrew name exists, we refer to it simply as P. 9. It corresponds to the Sefirah of Yesod (Foundation) – the hidden force that binds and connects the worlds.
Yesod, meaning Foundation, refers to the Tzadikim, as it is written:
כַּעֲב֣וֹר ס֭וּפָה וְאֵ֣ין רָשָׁ֑ע וְ֝צַדִּ֗יק יְס֣וֹד עוֹלָֽם
(משלי י:כה)
"The storm passes, and there will be no wicked [anymore], and the righteous is the foundation of the world." (Mishlei 10:25)
Just as Yesod channels divine influence to the foundation of the world, P. 9 remains a mystery yet holds a crucial role in the celestial structure. It is also associated with having a "heart," symbolizing its central function in sustaining the cosmic balance.
Restoring the True Names
By returning to the true names of the planets, we align ourselves with divine truth and fulfill the Torah’s commandment. Just as the heavens declare Hashem’s glory, so too should their names reflect their holiness and purpose.
As we gaze at the night sky, let us remember the planets not by names imposed upon them by idol worshippers, but by the names that reflect their true essence in the wisdom of Torah.
