Since Aryanwhy merch Catmael has stepped up to Pelican Sovereign in charge of
name registry, there is no longer any such thing as "SCA compatible names." That
is, just because something's in the Bible doesn't mean it will be allowed as a
registerable name.

I've chosen a given name (still working on a byname), D'vorah. I'm not sure
where to look for documentation of use in period. Can anyone help me? The
suggestions I've gotten so far:

1. Document the name to my time and place if possible.
I haven't chosen for sure whether to hail from Yemen or Persia, but I'm looking
at the 13th century as my time period.

2. Document the name to other places in period, to show that D'vorah and its
variations (Deborah, and the like) were widespread enough and well-known enough
to be used in other parts of the known world at the time.

3. Document a naming pattern. D'vorah means 'honeybee' which is an animal name,
which is common. Also, D'vorah was a famous general and prophet, and a woman who
exemplified pretty much every quality that is prized in a Jewish woman, and
therefore would have been considered an auspicious name for a daughter. If I go
this route, I'll have to demonstrate either animal-names in common use in 13th
century Persia or Yemen, or 'personal quality' names in 13th century Persia or
Yemen.

4. Talk to Juetta Chopin, who's a name herald in Israel. Juetta, are you here?
I'd really like a consulting herald who's up on Jewish names.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Judith Epstein / no SCA name yet
Master Albrecht Waldfurster's Egg
Middle Kingdom, Midlands, Ayreton, Tree-Girt-Sea (Chicago, IL)
judith@...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

> On 21 Oct 2009, at 11:59 AM, Monica Cellio wrote:
>
> > Would a Jew swear a secular oath?
> >
> > She'erah
>
> No, we wouldn't. If we really felt strongly about something, we would
> "affirm" or "state" our intentions, but not swear or vow.
>
> Judith / no SCA name yet
> Master Albrecht Waldfurster' s Egg
> Middle Kingdom, Midlands, Ayreton, Tree-Girt-Sea (Chicago, IL)
>
> On 23 Oct 2009, at 6:20 PM, Michael of Exeter wrote:
>
> If you feel that strongly---You would Take the masters baldric not a
> Knights Belt and Chain
> that is why Master was invented by the Society

Good point, but I wasn't speaking of knighthood. I was speaking of
peerage in general.

Judith / no SCA name yet
Master Albrecht Waldfurster's Egg
Middle Kingdom, Midlands, Ayreton, Tree-Girt-Sea (Chicago, IL)

Peace unto you,

I hope and pray that this epistle reaches you in good health and uplifted
spirits.

By way of introduction: I am Na'im ibn Barak ibn Musa haKohen as-Sioni (mka Noam
Sienna or No'am Tsiona). I hail from the borough of Fenmere, in the barony of
Carolingia, in the Kingdom of the East (mka Brandeis University in Boston).
Legend has it that a Fenmerian was the first to bring the Society to these holy
shores and if it is so then I salute you!

I have arrived in the Holy City to study and I wish to respectfully inquire as
to your activities - is this Shire still active? I pray that it is so, for I
wish very much to join you (accompanied by some friends as well).

I eagerly await your response.

Yours in service,
Noam

On 22 Oct 2009, at 5:19 AM, Mel Pohl wrote:

> I'm interested in how this turns out...
> I am a Jew living in the Middle Kingdom, and a lurker on this list.
> I was ironically asked about this at Pennsic by someone who, should
> a certain person be crowned King, would like to swear their oath in
> Hebrew. My Hebrew is not great at all (basic prayers only), I wasn't
> going to pester my Rabbis with this as they were gearing up for High
> Holy Days, and it kind of slipped my mind a bit until Judith brought
> it up just now...
>
> ~ Caitilํn Logan

Now that the Yamim Tovim are over for a while, perhaps your rav would
be willing to share his knowledge?

Judith / no SCA name yet
Master Albrecht Waldfurster's Egg
Middle Kingdom, Midlands, Ayreton, Tree-Girt-Sea (Chicago, IL)

On 21 Oct 2009, at 11:59 AM, Monica Cellio wrote:

> Would a Jew swear a secular oath?  Today, to say nothing of the middle
> ages, when that was usually done at sword-point to Christians?  I
> would
> recommend replacing words like "swear" and "oath" with words like
> "pledge"
> and "promise".
>
> She'erah

No, we wouldn't. If we really felt strongly about something, we would
"affirm" or "state" our intentions, but not swear or vow.

Judith / no SCA name yet
Master Albrecht Waldfurster's Egg
Middle Kingdom, Midlands, Ayreton, Tree-Girt-Sea (Chicago, IL)

Would a Jew swear a secular oath?  Today, to say nothing of the middle
ages, when that was usually done at sword-point to Christians?  I would
recommend replacing words like "swear" and "oath" with words like "pledge"
and "promise".

She'erah

It is. But there are Jews in the Middle Kingdom. I'm one of them. I'm
not likely to be swearing fealty in Drachenwald, but I may come to a
time when I need to give an oath in my own kingdom.

Judith / no SCA name yet
Master Albrecht Waldfurster's Egg
Middle Kingdom, Midlands, Ayreton, Tree-Girt-Sea (Chicago, IL)

On 21 Oct 2009, at 7:34 AM, Michael of Exeter wrote:

> Middle Kingdom???---I thought Israel was part of Drachenvald???
>
>
> From: Judith Epstein <judith@...>
> To: sca-judaica@yahoogroups.com; SCAISrael@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wed, October 21, 2009 12:03:27 AM
> Subject: [SCAISrael] Hebrew, Judaically-acceptable fealty oaths
>
> Thanks to a quite interesting discussion in the SCA heralds email list
> (SCAHRLDS@LISTSERV. AOL.COM), I sort of volunteered to translate a
> fealty oath into Hebrew. How I thought I could do this, I don't know,
> because my Hebrew is really kind of abysmal, but I did.
>
> Then I thought -- hey! I bet someone's already done this. I bet that
> someone is on the SCA-Judaica email list, or else the SCAIsrael list.
> Is there such a translation already?
>
> Alternatively (meaning, if there isn't a fealty oath already
> translated into Hebrew, which would be ideal), is there a native or
> extremely fluent Hebrew speaker who can translate the following? Note,
> these are not the official oaths of any kingdom, just ideas that I
> took from the oaths of a few kingdoms, phrases that I thought sounded
> good, that wouldn't present halachic or hashkafic problems for the
> traditionally- observant. (Bonus points if you can help me translate
> for a female speaker or for a male speaker, since the verb forms will
> be somewhat different. More bonus points if the Hebrew is scholarly
> and/or Biblical rather than modern street-Hebrew. ) [oaths snipped]
>

Thanks to a quite interesting discussion in the SCA heralds email list
(SCAHRLDS@...), I sort of volunteered to translate a
fealty oath into Hebrew. How I thought I could do this, I don't know,
because my Hebrew is really kind of abysmal, but I did.

Then I thought -- hey! I bet someone's already done this. I bet that
someone is on the SCA-Judaica email list, or else the SCAIsrael list.
Is there such a translation already?

Alternatively (meaning, if there isn't a fealty oath already
translated into Hebrew, which would be ideal), is there a native or
extremely fluent Hebrew speaker who can translate the following? Note,
these are not the official oaths of any kingdom, just ideas that I
took from the oaths of a few kingdoms, phrases that I thought sounded
good, that wouldn't present halachic or hashkafic problems for the
traditionally-observant. (Bonus points if you can help me translate
for a female speaker or for a male speaker, since the verb forms will
be somewhat different. More bonus points if the Hebrew is scholarly
and/or Biblical rather than modern street-Hebrew.)

Populace Oath

I hereby take oath of loyalty and respect
to the Crown of the Middle Kingdom,
to uphold the laws and customs of the Middle Kingdom,
to serve Crown, Kingdom, and Populace
according to my knowledge and ability.
Thus I, <NAME>, declare.

The Pelican's Oath

I hereby take oath of loyalty and respect
to the Crown of the Middle Kingdom,
to serve Crown, Kingdom, and Populace
according to my knowledge and ability,
to pursue justice,
to labor for the common good,
to continue the instruction of my proteges,
to enrich the Kingdom and the Society
so they may flourish and grow,
and to be worthy of the title of Pelican
in thought, word, and deed.
Thus I, <NAME>, declare.

The Knight's Oath

I hereby take oath of loyalty and respect
to the Crown of the Middle Kingdom,
to serve Crown, Kingdom, and Populace
according to my knowledge and ability,
to continue the instruction of my squires and soldiers-at-arms,
to ever be a good knight and true,
reverent and generous,
shield of the weak,
obedient to my liege-lord (liege-lady),
foremost in battle,
courteous at all times,
champion of the right and the good.
Thus I, <NAME>, declare.

The Laurel's Oath

I hereby take oath of loyalty and respect
to the Crown of the Middle Kingdom,
to serve Crown, Kingdom, and Populace
according to my knowledge and ability,
to ever enrich Crown, Kingdom, and Society
with my talents and abilities,
to promote the diverse arts,
to continue the instruction of my apprentices,
to increase the glory of the Middle Kingdom,
and to be worthy of the Wreath I wear.
Thus I, <NAME>, declare.

The Royal Peer's Oath

I hereby take oath of loyalty and respect
to the Crown of the Middle Kingdom,
to serve Crown, Kingdom, and Populace
according to my knowledge and ability,
To ever give wise counsel to the Crown,
Supporting the aims and ideals of the Realm,
As befits one of my station.
Thus swear I, <Name>

It's been a fun couple of years, but I am burnt out and I don't want
to do it anymore.  Does anyone else want to take over as seneschal?
I'd be happy to advise and help, but not if that means "actually do
all the work."

Otherwise, it might be time to let the shire take a long rest.

Naomi

Hello,

My name is Erez, and I actually followed the news of this shire being started all those years ago, but then I lost track when I got in the army... And after the "Knights of Jerusalem" festival last week I thought about SCA again.

I've read that you have a couple helmets and no armour (for armoured combat).. well, with that I might help.

Lately I've been getting a bit more seriously into armouring. I got myself a nice supply of 1mm cold rolled mild steel and some new tools and I'm loking for an aim.

It's a bit thin for SCA but I think it might be enough for some parts. (and I have some 1.5mm steel for elbows and knees and such)

So.. I guess what I'm asking is.. Does this shire still exist? Are you still interested in producing some rattan action?

Erez

p.s.

You can see my work on my site-  http://sites.google.com/site/blackicearmory/ 

Thank you, Zach, for clarifying all this for benefit of those who
didn't already know it. The whole reason I davka want names from the
Bible is that I KNOW they're Jewish names, rather than names borrowed
from later sources. The documentation can't be beat, either -- granted
it doesn't say that the names were used within the SCA's time period,
but the names certainly existed from antiquity. There are those who
doubt the validity of the Tanakh, but no one doubts its age!

Judith

On Jul 31, 2009, at 12:17 AM, Zachary Kessin wrote:

> A note while biblical names are sca registrable (or where last I
> checked) they were not always used in SCA period. In fact SCA period
> Jewish names very much had their own patterns. Often borrowing from
> the local gentile community. Many of the biblical names that we
> think of as normal "Jewish" names today were virtually unheard of.
> The most common name for Jewish women in Rome in the 1550's was
> "Perna" (taken from the records of the rabbinical court of Rome).
>
> --Zach (Yehoshua ben Haayim
>
> Judith / no SCA name yet
>
> On Jul 30, 2009, at 3:54 PM, DonCunning wrote:
>
> > Opher I though Esther is from Hester meaning "hidden".
> >
> > Lord AEthelstan of Rusted Woodlands, East Kingdom

I may have forgotten to mention adequately in my first post that I
already saw this source, but elected not to use it, since (1) most of
the names listed in the links provided are for European Jews, and I'm
wanting to portray a Teimani or Mizrachi Jew; (2) what I was looking
for were citations for the names I listed, because I like those; if I
use any other name it will be a distant second (or tenth) choice,
after all the ones I actually like are sent back and rejected.

On Jul 31, 2009, at 12:11 AM, Zachary Kessin wrote:

> If you want a good resource on period jewish names go look at this
> webpage: http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/jewish.shtml
> for names in Jerusalem this article may be on target:
http://www.medievalscotland.org/kmo/Jerusalem/
>
> --Zach

You misunderstand me, Reb Freedman. I didn't say Chayil transliterates
AS fun. I said transliteration of Hebrew IS fun (by which I mean
entertainingly complicated). I know well what Chayil means; it's part
of my Hebrew name.

Q'dar is from the Song of Songs, as I said, and I even cited the verse
and gave a link, I do believe, so that one could look it up for
oneself. One of the sons of Ishmael is named Q'dar (or Kedar). Read
the Song of Songs: "I am dark and lovely, O you daughters of
Jerusalem, as the tents of Q'dar..." That's where I found it.

Q'turah is not the same as Kitra. It is the wife of Avraham's
concubine after the death of Sarah, who bore him seven sons. It means
"incense," coming from q'toret.

You're right about Dinah and Divash.

On Jul 30, 2009, at 5:11 PM, Dov Shmuel Freedman wrote:

> Chayil -- (sometimes spelled Hayl, Khayl, Xayil... Hebrew
> transliteration is FUN) Hebrew spelling uses letters Chet-Yud-Lamed
>         Chayil, does NOT translate as fun!  I don't know if there's
> a biblical word for Fun.
> Chayil is Valorous, cf. the Piyut said at the shabbes table every
> week, composed by King Solomon if I'm not mistaken, Eishet Chayil
> (Who will find a woman of Valor)  If an English translation is
> desired, I cannot recommend Art Scroll Siddurs highly enough !!!
>
> Dinah -- Hebrew spelling Daled-Yud-Nun- Heh
>     Dinah female form of Din - Judgement.
> Divash -- Hebrew spelling Daled-Bet-Shin
>     This one is a new one to me.  Honey?
>
> Q'dar (sometimes spelled Qedar, K'dar, Kedar) -- Hebrew spelling Quf-
> Daled-Resh (Quf is sometimes referenced as Qof, Kof, or Kuf)
>     Another new on to me. K'Dar?  Like the Generation?  As the
> Generation?
> Q'turah -- (sometimes spelled Keturah) -- Hebrew spelling Qof-Tet-
> Vav-Resh-Heh
>     This one is really interesting, as I was just to the wedding of
> a friend, well perhaps it's more accurate to say the father's a
> friend, named "Kitra"  It seems to me that if Kitra is "Crown",
> Keturah would be Crown-ness???

Yes, I mistyped. I meant Hister, not Nistar. I need to sleep more, I
think! Anyway, though Estir is the Jewish name as it was used in Egypt
during Period, at least according to the geniza at Cairo.

Judith / no SCA name yet

On Jul 30, 2009, at 3:54 PM, DonCunning wrote:

> Opher I though Esther is from Hester meaning "hidden".
>
> Lord AEthelstan of Rusted Woodlands, East Kingdom