Camels

The letter ג spelled out is גמל. Here are four interpretations of this word.

1. To give as in גומל חסדים, one who does acts of kindness.
2. To wean or make someone independent as in ויגדל הילד ויגמל.
3. To ripen and bring to completion as in ויגמל שקדים, it produced ripe almonds.
4. The word גמל means a camel.

What is the underlying theme behind these disparate meanings?

The greatest act of giving is when you make a person self-sufficient, as the Rambam tells us that the highest level of tzedakah is enabling the recipient to become self-sufficient. This explains why the root גמל means to give and to wean as the greatest giving is making a person self-sufficient. This brings to completion so that meaning fits with this root.

Where does a camel come into this picture?

Camels can survive long stretches of time without water. In this way they are “self-sufficient.” This embodies the meaning of the root גמל.