Alleyways To Torah: What's In A Name

What's In A Name

When my first son was born I had this great idea to name him Herman in honor of my favorite novelist Herman Wouk. And Berman in honor of my favorite sportscaster Chris Berman [somehow I didn't think that Chris is an appropriate name for a future Talmid Chacham. I would have to call him "X" as in X-mas]. Hence his name would be Herman Berman Ehrman. I resisted the urge to name him after Ethel Merman, as well.

I ended up naming him Shmuel. [I have a wonderful wife. She has opinions on such matters.]

In our tradition white symbolizes purity. Why then is Lavan- a deceitful and dangerous [yesh lél yadi lehara imachem] individual - called "White".

Please enlighten me.

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Lavan is indeed a trickster but I heard B'shem Rabbi Shmuel Goldstein that Lavan is called Lavan "white" because he goes around with a squeaky clean image and tricks you into thinking that his intentions are pure. If you don't catch him sinning or tricking someone red-handed, then he didn't do it - thats Lavan's approach. He tricks you into thinking that he is pure "lavan."

Posted by Anonymous | 4:37 AM

Rav Goldwicht shlita had a whole approach about לבן. I can't say I don't remember some of it because I in fact don't remember any of it, but his main point was that תכלת is about seeing the bigger picture and the long-term, while לבן is about seeing the narrow focus and the short-term. I believe his thrust was that the first is better. He tied this into the מחלוקת about when to say קריאת שמע בשחרים.

Posted by WillWorkForFood | 5:46 AM