[Lexicog] names as characteristic of a category

[Fritz Goerling]

Hayim,

Thank you for your interesting information about Jewish conventions
connected with biblical names.

You wrote: 

Joseph (son of Jacob) received fame mostly for this beauty even outside of
Jewish tradition, ask any Muslim  (especially  Iranians)  and they will tell
you that Joseph (Yusuf) was  a paragon of beauty.

    Not of virtue (chastity)? Why this focus on his looks? His beautiful
character showed when he forgave his brothers.

The Jewish conventions connected to biblical names were developed outside of
biblical text in the rabbinical literature. In the early exposition
(interpretation) of the bible they would as questions like who are ! the
most beautiful person in the world? And usually they select either Joseph or
David. 

 

   The Bible says that both Joseph and David were good-looking. But for
David, as for Joseph, what counts is that the Bible

   says that he was "a man after God's heart" which shows in the Psalms he
has written.

 

Beracha,

 

Fritz

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