The Power of Names

 

“And the Lord God formed from the earth every beast of the field and every fowl of the heavens, and He brought [it] to man to see what he would call it, and whatever the man called each living thing, that was its name.” (Bereishit 2:19.) The Midrash says that the angels complained against man. To prove man's worthiness, God brought all the animals before the angels and asked them what they each should be called. The angels could not name the animals. Then He brought them to Adam who was able to name each animal.

          The simple understanding is that Adam correctly understood each animal's unique characteristics and its purpose in this world and gave them a name that described their essence. Rav Yeruchom Levovitz suggests that what transpired was actually much deeper. Adam did not just describe the animals by naming them. The names he chose were prescriptive, not just descriptive.  Reb Yeruchom explains that by naming the animals Adam declared what the animal would be. Because Adam called it a certain name that became its destiny and its future. Adam’s ability to name the animals was proof of man's greatness, his partnership with God in Creation, and mastery over the rest of creation.

          This lesson for us is that we are not just passive players who must learn to deal with the world as it is. It is within our power to determine the nature of the world and to change it, both for good or for evil.

          The Midrash continues that Hashem asked Adam what Hashem's name should be and Adam said “Ado-nai”, for Hashem is our master and the master of the universe. It is man that determines even Hashem's role in this world. Hashem acts with us in accordance with the way we relate to Him, with the name we give Him. If we relate to Hashem as our Omnipotent merciful Father, that is how He will treat us. If we don't relate to Hashem as the all-powerful ruler of every facet of our lives but choose to relate more to the laws of nature and our own abilities, then Hashem will leave us to the whims of nature and to our own devices, which won't get us very far. Man truly rules the world.

          When it came to his own name, man called himself Adam as in Adama, the lowly earth.  This demonstrated Adam's great modesty.  He wanted to remind himself that although he is partners with the Divine and can rule the world, he is of lowly makeup and should always remain humble.

          However, Rav Yehonoson Eibushitz says that the name Adam is in fact a very exalted name.  Adam is derived from the words, “Adameh L'Elyon”, “I am similar to the High One.”  A person is created B'Tzelem Elokim and is compared to God Himself.  Rav Eibushitz notes that even the comparison to Adama, the earth, is also very exalted.  Just like the earth never disintegrates and remains forever, similarly a person's neshama is eternal. His good deeds are also eternal.