YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Jewish Thought
- Foundations of Faith
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
In our previous discussion, we noted the fact that Hebrew must necessarily be a superlative language, for it is a Divine Tongue in which God Himself spoke when addressing His Prophets. Furthermore, God used the Hebrew language in creating the universe, and the Divine names of God derive from Hebrew. Hebrew is marked by cantillative punctuation (te'amim) and special vowels (nikud), and these two elements transform the dry written word into a living, speech-like tongue.
Rambam, in his "Guide to the Perplexed," writes that Hebrew is called the Holy Tongue because it is a clean language which does not possess names of body organs that call for modesty. Indeed, it is only natural that a language which gives expression to sacred concepts - the words of the living God - should be elevated, pure, and unsullied, and that it should not contain names of organs and actions which necessitate modesty.
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
42 - 42. The Preeminence of the Holy Tongue
43 - 43. Hebrew's Preeminence - Continued
44 - 44. The Servant of God
Load More
This is not the case when it comes to the Holy Tongue. Hebrew possesses an intrinsic inner worth, it possesses sanctity, and it contains significance beyond the plain and revealed meanings of its words. Hebrew words can be approached on a number of levels: they can be understood plainly (pshat), figuratively (drash), allusively (remez), and esoterically (sod). The language supports each of these. In addition to all of this, Hebrew letters have numerical value, and the numerical value of a letter or word gives it added meaning. This is unique to the Hebrew language.
As a rule, if a book cannot be understood, it lacks value. It does not matter how great its message is. This, however, is not true of the Torah. Even if a person does not understand what is written in it, reading it has value - the words themselves contain sanctity.
Even the shapes of the Hebrew letters have unique significance, and therefore each letter must be written with precision; every line, corner, and crown of these letters carries deep spiritual meaning.
When a person reads sacred Hebrew words, even if he does not understand them at all, they have an effect. This may be likened to a person operating a large machine with the press of a button even though he does not understand how pressing the button does what it does. Technically, he may not understand how the machine works or the nature of its design, but he is nonetheless able to run it.
Similarly, when a person reads the Torah in the Holy Tongue, his speech has intrinsic value and it awakens exalted spiritual forces. This is not the case with any other language. If a person reads some other language and does not understand what he is saying, his reading is worthless. Its words possess no intrinsic value and in themselves have no effect. Their entire value lies in the fact that they are symbols which aid in conveying a message.
In sum, the Holy People, the nation of Israel, has a Holy Tongue which possesses intrinsic value. It is a lofty language which God Himself employed when creating the world and conveying his Law to Israel. It is a clean and pure language that befits the spiritual content which it expresses.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
