By Jane Eisner April 14, 2009

First, there’s a Seder in the White House. Then a dog named for a Torah portion?

Given all the hubbub about the Obama’s new dog — a closely guarded secret that somehow was leaked over the weekend — it strikes some of us as more than curious to see the connection between the dog’s new name and the holiday that Jews (and others) are now celebrating.

The official story is that Malia and Sasha named their adorable, black-and-white Portuguese water dog “Bo” after the famous musician Bo Diddley, and because that was their maternal grandfather’s nickname. (The fact that Bo also can be read as B.O., their famous father’s initials, seems to have garnered little notice in the breathless coverage of this major event.)

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

But learned Jews might also note that “Bo” — which in Hebrew means the command “come” or “go” — is the first word uttered in the Torah portion from the third book of Exodus describing the plagues visited upon Pharoah for refusing to let the Jewish people leave Egypt. And while the portion is usually read in synagogue in January or February, the dramatic story it tells is headlined in the Haggadah that was read at last week’s Seders.

So could there be a connection here — between the Seder held in the White House on Thursday and the naming of the new dog just a few days later?

At least the four-legged pet didn’t arrive a couple of weeks from now. Can you imagine a dog — or anyone else — answering to Tazria-Metzora?

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount