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Lea bat Miryam
The Rabbi tells the Khazar king not to judge the Hebrew tongue according to its present guise (i.e., its state 1,200 years ago, in the time of the Khazar king) for it has suffered a plight similar to that of the Jewish people as whole. The language has become weak and depleted due to the weakness and depletion which, because of the difficult exile, have taken hold of its speakers, the Jewish people. However, in all truth, the Hebrew language is inherently sacred and is the most noble of the languages.
The greatness of Hebrew is noted in our Festival prayers which read, "You chose us from all of the nations, You loved us, and desired us, and elevated us above all of the languages, and sanctified us through your commandments." Here, then, we assert that God "elevated us above all of the languages."
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
41 - 41. Torah and Secular Disciplines
42 - 42. The Preeminence of the Holy Tongue
43 - 43. Hebrew's Preeminence - Continued
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Hebrew possesses two distinctive ingredients: cantillative punctuation (te'amim) and vowels (nikud).
After all, the spoken word has a natural advantage over the written. When a person speaks, he is able to pause between subjects, emphasizes certain words, change the tone of his speech. The speaker, in order to express query, wonder, or amazement employs an appropriate tone. There is likewise a special tone that is used when expressing fright. All of this is lacking in the writ.
Indeed, in Hebrew texts that have come down to us from the past, in sacred Hebrew, there are cantillation marks which accompany the words. We use these marks when reading from the Torah, and with their help we are able to grasp the intended meaning of the written word. They indicate a question or an answer, separate between subjects, differentiate between that which should be read quickly and that which should be read slowly, between a command and a request. Today, even the cantillation marks have not been preserved in their full sense, and therefore they do not fulfill their complete role. However, the true task of these marks, as noted, is to breathe life into the dry written language and to provide it with the tools to express its inner content in the fullest sense.
A second unique quality possessed by Hebrew is its vowel system. To a degree, this too was disrupted by the exile. The Hebrew vowels aid in the expression of ideas with astounding precision.
At this point the Rabbi expands upon the role of Hebrew vowels, addressing the fine points and advantages of this tool. He gives a lengthy and detailed dissertation to the King of the Khazars on the laws of Hebrew grammar and vowelization. We will not go into these matters here. However, of this we are certain, cantillation marks and vowels which accompany Hebrew words place the Hebrew tongue on a level above all other languages.
This concludes another chapter in our exploration of the foundations of the Jewish faith according to R' Yehuda HaLevi's classic work, "The Kuzai."
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
