What are Chazal trying to tell us when they say it is wrong to call Avraham Avinu by his former name, “Avram”? We view the name-change moment as the transition between Part A and Part B in the life of Avraham. We examine the content and structure of Avraham's stories and ask: what does Avram do as opposed to Avraham, and vice versa? What aspects of his life and approaches are reflected by his respective names?

 

Yemei Iyun be-Tanakh - תשס"ט