My Weekly Drash (a mini D'var Torah) - Vayishlach (2)
Posted by Daniel M. Kimmel on December 11, 2008 | Tags: Vayishlach
Did you ever call a helpline or a billing office and discover you had a new best friend? Suddenly a total stranger is addressing you by your first name as if you’re old pals. As we see in this week’s Parshah VaYishlach, names have power and meaning. Jacob wrestles with an angel who renames him Israel “for you have striven with beings divine and human, and have prevailed.” (Gen 32:29) Well, angels get to do that, but when Jacob asks his wrestling opponent’s identity, he is told, “You must not ask my name!” How you address another reveals much about the actual or implied relationship involved. Calling someone by their name implies familiarity and, perhaps, power over them. It’s no surprise that not only are there numerous euphemisms to avoid saying God’s Name, but it is so protected that we no longer even know how to pronounce it. On the other hand, when someone tells us to call them by their first name or by a nickname they express a desire to welcome you into something more than an arm’s length relationship. Perhaps, as Shakespeare wrote, a rose by any other name would be just as sweet, but the names we call ourselves – and would have others call us – make a difference.
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Daniel M. KimmelJoined: October 2, 2007 Daniel M. Kimmel is a Boston area film critic, lecturer and author. He does these weekly mini-lessons for the Mishkan Tefila Brotherhood's newsletter. You are free to use them for similar purposes. Divrei Torah (117) |
