Whoever Calls Abraham by His Old Name Transgresses

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 81:16

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

Bar Kappara said: Whoever calls Abraham "Abram" transgresses a positive commandment. Rabbi Levi said: A positive commandment and a negative commandment. "Your name shall no longer be called Abram" (Genesis 17:5), here is the negative commandment; "but your name shall be Abraham" (Genesis 17:5), here is the positive commandment. But did not the Men of the Great Assembly call him "Abram"? "You are the LORD God who chose Abram" (Nehemiah 9:7). It is different, for while he was still Abram You chose him. And likewise, one who calls Sarah "Sarai" transgresses a positive commandment, for it is she concerning whom he was commanded. And likewise, one who calls Israel "Jacob" transgresses a positive commandment. It was taught: Not that the name Jacob should be uprooted, but "for Israel shall be your name" (Genesis 35:10) means Israel is primary and Jacob secondary. Rav Zechariah in the name of Rav Acha said: In any case Jacob is his name, but "for Israel shall be your name" means Jacob is primary and Israel is added upon it.

Themes

AbrahamCommandmentsPatriarchs

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