1)

Why did Yaakov refer to Lavan as "Lavan ben Nachor" (Lavan's grandfather), and not, 'Lavan ben Besu'el'?

1.

Ramban #1, Ha'amek Davar: Because Nachor, the head of the family, was more important than Besu'el. 1

2.

Ramban #2: It is also possible that Besu'el was a nonentity, and Lavan did want people to attach himself to him, only to his grandfather Nachor. 2

3.

Ramban #3: It may also be that the Torah mentions Nachor, who was the head of the family, in honor of Avraham, whose brother he was.

4.

Moshav Zekenim: It is because the city was called "Ir Nachor" (24:10).

5.

Yaakov could not mention Besu'el's name without calling him "my grandfather 3 " or a title of respect. He did not want to do so, for he was an idolater. (PF)

6.

Besu'el had a bad reputation. 4 (PF)

7.

Torah Temimah #1 (based on a ruling of the Terumas ha'Deshen 5 ): Because Besu'el was a Rasha.

8.

Torah Temimah #2 (citing commentaries): Because Besu'el was not so well-known. and had Yaakov mentioned ben Besu'el, they may well not have known who he was referring to. 6


1

As we find later, where Lavan himself referred to "the G-d of Avraham and the god of Nachor" (31:53).

2

We find, "And Lavan and Besu'el answered..." (24:50). (Lavan did not esteem his father, and spoke up before him.)

3

It is clear that Kerem Shlomo (8:8 p. 8, cited in Daf Al ha'Daf Shabbos 33b) forbids calling one's grandfather by name without a title of respect. I did not find anyone who forbids doing so for a great grandfather. (PF)

4

Hadar Zekenim (to 24:33): He would have Bi'ah with every girl before her Chupah; this is why his name is like Besulah. People of his city would have forced him to do so to his own daughter; this is why he wanted to kill Eliezer!

5

Who learns from here that if someone whose father is a Rasha is called up to the Torah, one calls him up by the name of his grandfather - and not just by his name alone, in order not to embarrass him.

6

The Oznayim la'Torah adds that it is quite common for the Torah to refer to someone by his grandfather's name and not by that of his father.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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