Does the fact that the human (ha-'adam) of Genesis 2 names the
'ishah mean he thereby wields thereby authority over her? The
suggestion seems strained to me.

According to "Mona Lisa's Sword" – gotta love that title
– a site for self-defense instructors, "naming implies
authority." Its positive use involves the drawing of clear
boundaries. Here's the link:

http://www.monalisas-sword.com/mysd/index.php?id=113
<http://www.monalisas-sword.com/mysd/index.php?id=113>

Naming, in some contexts, is an exercise of power. Wielding authority,
furthermore, is a positive thing. The authority vacuum which
characterizes many aspects of society today is the cause of much
suffering in the world. Self-defense instructors are right to encourage
their students to name potentially threatening individuals in their
environment, and wield authority over them. Right on, Mona! Wield that
sword! The alternative, "turning the other cheek," is very
unhelpful advice. True, somebody I respect said those words, but the
words have been mis-contextualized and abused by well-meaning followers.
It's always someone else who is supposed to turn the other cheek,
isn't it?

But to suggest, as many scholars do, that the naming of the 'ishah
in Gen 2 is an example of wielding authority, seems strained to me. The
subtleties of the biblical text in which the human (ha-'adam)
proclaims that "this one" shall be called 'ishah
"woman," a play on 'ish, "man," are thereby
overlooked.

As Nahum Sarna puts it in his Genesis (JPSTC; Philadelphia: Jewish
Publication Society, 1989) 23:

[I]n naming her 'ishah, he simultaneously names himself. Hitherto he
is consistently called 'adam; he now calls himself 'ish for the
first time. Thus he discovers his own manhood and fulfillment only when
he faces the woman, the human being who is to be his partner for life.

Naming is not always about wielding authority. It can be an expression
of love and appreciation, the conclusion of a process of discovery and
self-discovery.




John

www.ancienthebrewpoetry.typepad.com
<http://www.ancienthebrewpoetry.typepad.com/>






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