Q&A: Confusions in the Names of the Torah Portions…..
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Confusions in the Names of the Torah Portions…..
Question
The portion Vayera or Va’era.
Mishpatim, Shoftim.
Ki Tisa, Naso.
Why did they arrange it this way, when it can cause confusion?
Answer
Indeed, a very difficult question. Let a carpenter come, son of a carpenter, and solve it.
I have to say that in the portion of Noah I always wonder why the portion isn’t called “Generations,” since the portion begins, “These are the generations of Noah.”
And I answer myself: so it won’t get confused with the portion of Toldot — “These are the generations of Isaac.”
So you can’t claim that there was no consideration here for people who get confused.
The different and similar names you mentioned were given in order to sharpen the students.