Why isn't Shimson's mother named in Pesukim that tell the story? She is featured rather prominently, and the angel appears to her before speaking with both her and Manoaḥ. It would stand to reason that she is as important a character as other barren mothers who prayed for children and were blessed with great leaders for sons. (Aside, to preempt comments comparing Shimson to some of those other leaders: Perhaps he wasn't the greatest leader or a true Navi, but he was great enough for his story to appear in TaNa"Ch, and it's not like his father isn't named.)
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1+1 FWIW The midrash gives her name as Tzalalaphonit (BB 91a) – Double AA♦ Jul 10 '12 at 3:30
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@DoubleAA, yes, it does. See here. – Seth J Jul 10 '12 at 3:32
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1Check out the gemara inside with rashi! hebrewbooks.org/shas.aspx?mesechta=23&daf=91&format=pdf – Double AA♦ Jul 10 '12 at 3:35
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2Err, should I not have asked? – Seth J Jul 10 '12 at 3:45
To answer the minim (people who deny the oral Torah) because the names of important people such as Dovid's mother or Avraham's mother is also not mentioned in the Torah is brought down through oral tradition which minim do not have(based on Bava Basra 91a).
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That's why she was named in the Gemara. Why wasn't she named in Tanach? – Double AA♦ Jul 10 '12 at 4:57
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Oh are you saying that God did this on purpose as a proof to the Oral Torah? Interesting. I hadn't thought of it that way. – Double AA♦ Jul 10 '12 at 5:03
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