Why does the Torah omit Etzbon, who is mentioned in Vayigash Bereishis, 46:16 from the sons of Gad?
Rashi: Because Etzbon is synonymous with Ozni. 1
Rashi does not know why the Torah changes his name. The Ma'ayanah shel Torah, citing the Sh'lah, explains:: Etzbon (finger) and Ozni (ear) go hand in glove, following the statement of the Chachamim that Hashem created the fingers long and thin, so that when one hears Lashon ha'Ra being spoken, one can place them into one's ears to avoid hearing it. Similarly, the Gemara in Kesuvos 5a states: "You should have a shovel with Azenecha (your weapons)" - we can read this like Oznecha (your ears), to teach that one should stick his finger in his ear if he hears something improper (Lashon ha'Ra ? Charedim Lo Sa'aseh 3:3).
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes that here, Etzbon is called on the name of Ozni whereas above in Pasuk 13, he wrote that the family of Etzbon died out?
Moshav Zekenim: Above, Rashi did not mean that it died out, just that it is not listed explicitly here. Rashi said that seven families are missing here; we can say that the seventh is Yishvah (and not Etzbon).
Sifsei Chachamim #1: Above, Rashi wrote according to the Yerushalmi, which maintains that some families counted here did not go down to Egypt, whereas Rashi himself disagrees (except for B'nei Efrayim and Menasheh, who were already in Egypt), which is why he must say that Ozni is Etzbon, even though the names are not at all similar.
Sifsei Chachamim #2: Above, Rashi wrote 'and also Etzbon from Gad' (not that also it died out, rather), also its name was changed [to Ozni, just like Rashi said that Tzochar changed to Zerach]. The seventh missing family is Yishvah. 1
I cannot resolve our text of Rashi with this Peirush. Rashi writes 'Harei Sheva Mishpechos. According to this Perush, Rashi mentioned two families whose name changed, and discussed six that were lost! (PF)
