Laughter And Happiness,Rabbi Yakov Horowitz

Our Torah places great significance on the names given to children. It is, therefore, appropriate that we examine the background of the names that were given to our great leaders.

In the case of Yitzchak, however, the origin of his name seems to elude a simple explanation. It is not that we do not have pointers from our Torah as to the reasons given for selecting the name Yitzchak. Quite to the contrary, there seems to be too much information.

At first glance, things seem to be rather straightforward. In last week's parshah, (Bereishis 17:19), Hashem gave Avraham a direct command to give the name Yitzchak to the son that he would eventually have together with Sarah. That would seem to close the case on this name. Not so simple, though.

Rashi attributes the reason for the name to the response of Avraham - VaYitzchak (Bereishis 17:17), generally translated as laughter - when Hashem informed him that he and Sarah would have a son despite the fact that they were so advanced in years (100 and 90, respectively). Sarah, in this week's parshah (Bereishis 12:12) had a similar reaction and laughed. Hashem's reaction to the laughter of the two parents is strikingly different. Sarah was admonished for laughing (12:13) while Avraham was not.

The Targum Onkelos (See Rashi 17:17) offers an insight into this matter. He translates the "VaYitzchak" of Avraham (17:17) as "V'Chadi -And he was happy" (similar to the word chedvah). Sarah's "VaTizchak," (12:12) on the other hand, is translated as "Vchaychas - And she laughed." Two very different responses - Avraham was overjoyed and celebrated, while Sarah laughed in disbelief.

Making Amends

I would like to suggest that a careful reading of the pesukim that describe the actual birth and naming of Yitzchak (Bereishis 21; 1-6) reveal a striking change in the approach of Sarah. Our great Matriarch adjusted her views on this subject after she internalized the guidance of Avraham.

An initial reading of these pesukim raises a difficulty. Things seem very much out of order. Here is how they appear in the chronological order of the Torah (Perek Chaf Alef):

· Pesukim Alef-Beis       Describe the birth of their child
· Passuk Gimmel    Avraham names the child Yitzchak
· Passuk Daled     Avraham gives Yitzchak a bris milah
· Passuk Heh       The Torah informs us that Avraham was one hundred years old at that time
· Passuk Vav         Sara says, "Tzechok Asah li Elokim", Hashem has made "laughter" for me.

Two questions arise. Firstly, if the quote of Sarah in Passuk Vav is to explain the rationale for the name Yitzchak, it should have been mentioned earlier - before Passuk Gimmel? More difficult to understand is why Sarah would mention the word laughter after her previous admonition for laughing?

I would like to suggest that the order of the pesukim informs us of the teshuvah of the tzadekes, Sarah. This time (21:6), Onkelos translates the "tzechok" of Sara as "chedvah." Happiness and not laughter. Faith in Hashem, not irreverent amusement.

Perfect Balance

With this insight, things seem to be perfectly aligned. After Yitzchak was born, named, and given a bris; we are informed of Avraham's age. At that point the proud mother, Sarah, is given the opportunity to recalibrate her response to this miracle - and demonstrate her faith in Hashem's word. She states, "Hashem brought me happiness." And as Rashi notes, her happiness led to great simcha for many others who were in need.

With this in mind, we can understand Sarah's response to the dangerous "tzechok" of Yishmael (21:9) a few short pesukim later. When Yishmael displayed the crudest form of laughter, symbolizing the three cardinal sins (see Rashi 21:9), she banished him from their home. Perhaps that is why Sarah stepped in (and not Avraham) to demonstrate her understanding of the "golden path" that we need to follow in our service of Hashem.

Reckless, derisive laughter removes our focus from our spiritual pursuits. Happiness, a true simchas ha'chayim, helps us serve Hashem properly and fulfill our purpose in life - B'Simcha u'vtuv levav.

Best wishes for a Gutten Shabbos.

You can now listen to Rabbi Horowitz's weekly "People Helping People" call-in parenting radio program, by tuning in to 620 AM in the NYC area, streaming it live on www.talklinecommunications.com, or by calling in during the radio program to 206-424-7331. The radio program runs on Thursday evenings from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. EST. You can submit questions to be addressed on the program in advance by emailing rabbihorowitz@rabbihorowitz.comand audio files of all programs are posted on his website.

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Laughter And Happiness , Rabbi Yakov Horowitz