Yes, there is a fascinating event in Jewish history that began the usage of Alexander as a name for Jewish children. By the way, the only real “Jewish name” is the official Hebrew name given by a baby’s parents. And if a person did not receive a Hebrew name as a child he or she may choose a name when they grow up.
Most people learn about “Alexander the Great” in school. He was a mighty world-conquering Greek Emperor who lived soon after the Second Temple was built in Jerusalem – around 353 BCE.
Probably not as many people are taught about Shimon Hatzadik – Shimon the Pious – either in school or at home. Shimon was one of the great leaders of the Jewish People; one of the final members of the Jewish national “parliament” of that time called the “Anshei Knesset Hagedolah – “the Men of the Great Assembly” (the origin of the word “Knesset” as an Israeli Parliament). Shimon Hatzadik also served as a High Priest for 40 years at the beginning of the Second Temple era. One of his most famous teachings is, “The world depends on three things: on Torah study, on service of God and on doing good deeds (Pirkei Avot 1:2).”
Alexander the Great and Shimon Hatzadik were not only contemporaries, but also met in a most thrilling manner as documented in the Talmud (Yoma 69a):
Alexander stood at the entrance to Jerusalem with malevolent intentions, The Jewish population feared for their lives. Shimon Hatzadik dressed up in the special white garments that he wore as High Priest on Yom Kippur when he entered the Holy of Holies, and went out to meet Alexander.
When the great Emperor saw Shimon Hatzadik he dismounted and prostrated himself on the ground before Shimon. Alexander’s generals were greatly perplexed and asked him why he was bowing to this Jew. He answered that the night before every battle he fought he would see in his dream a person who looked exactly like the Jewish High Priest, who would advise him on tactics to use the following day. Advice that always led to victory.
Shimon Hatzadik took Alexander the Great on a tour of the Temple. Alexander, very impressed, requested that a marble image of himself be placed in the Temple. Shimon refused, explaining that it was forbidden for the Jews to have images, and certainly not in the Temple! Instead, Shimon suggested an alternative way to memorialize the Emperor’s visit to the holy city of the Jews: all male babies born that year would receive the name “Alexander.” The Emperor was pleased with the idea.
That is how the name “Alexander” became one of the Jewish names given to Jewish children throughout history.
