Daf Yomi - Yoma 83 - Bad Names - Bad Deeds

Daf Yomi - Yoma 83 - Bad Names - Bad Deeds

The Gemara relates a story where Rabbi Meir determined that an innkeeper was a wicked person by examining his name. Tosefes Yom HaKippurim questions this from a Medrash in Parshas Shelach regarding the names of the spies that Moshe sent to inquire about Eretz Yisroel. The Medrash states that some of their names were pleasant yet their deeds were despicable whereas others had despicable names yet their deeds were virtuous. Thus, we see that a name is not always indicative of ones actions. The Tosefes Yom HaKippurim answers that this Medrash would be deemed an anomaly, as people whose names have negative connotations usually act in a despicable manner.

The Shearim Mitzuyanim B’Halacha, however, posits that Rabbi Meir is of the opinion that we must always be concerned for the minority and it was for this reason that Rabbi Meir suspected the innkeeper of evil intentions. The language that Rabbi Meir used is proof to this, as Rabbi Meir said, “when I said that one should be particular about names, I meant only that someone with a name that has negative connotations warrants suspicion.” Rabbi Yehudah and Rabbi Yose, who were traveling with Rabbi Meir, maintained that one always follows the majority opinion, and in this instance they felt that the majority of names are not indicative of ones character.