More Discussions for this daf
1. Friend of an Amgusha? 2. Kuf 3. Avos Mekayem Mitzvos
4. hard to understand gemora 5. Me'aras ha'Machpela 6. Checking for lice in Avraham's hair
7. אליעזר, אברהםושרה
DAF DISCUSSIONS - BAVA BASRA 58

1. Gershon Dubin asked:

You wrote in Insights "(c) The letter "Kuf" (from which the word "Kof," monkey, is derived) represents a distortion of the will of Hash-m, which results from arrogance. The Gemara in Shabbos (104a) explains that the letters "Heh" and "Vav" represent the Name of Hash-m (see also Menachos 29a, where the Gemara says that Hash-m created this world with the letter "Heh," meaning that the "Heh" represents what is revealed by Hash-m to the people in this world). The letter "Kuf" is a "Heh" with an elongated leg. This represents the arrogant person, about which the Gemara in Sanhedrin (29a) says "Kol ha'Mosif Gore'a" -- when a person is arrogant and adds to his self-image, he actually detracts from his own worth. Instead of being a better "Heh," the "Kuf" is distorted. It becomes a distorted and laughable imitation of the "Heh," just like a monkey is a distorted and laughable imitation of a human being. "

I wonder if this is related to our substituting "kuf" for heh in pronouncing Shem Hash-m, e.g. Elokim, Yud Kay Vov Kay, Ehkeh, etc.?

Gershon Dubin, Brooklyn, NY,USA

2. The Kollel replies:

Gershon - Yes, I think that it is the similarity berween the letters that brought about the choice.

Yasher Koach,

Mordecai Kornfeld