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Readers'
Reviews:
Rabbi Yonassan
Gershom from Minnesota, USA
The story is told how Rebbe Nachman
of Breslov once suffered from amnesia and could not remember
any of the Torah he had learned. In desperation, he asked one
of his disciples to recite the Hebrew alphabet. He did -- and
the Rebbe's memory came back to him. After reading this excellent
book, you will understand how that is possible. The Hebrew alphabet
is much more than 22 letters written on paper. Each letter has
a numerical value, a number of symbolic Torah meanings, and a
mystical connection to the Creation of the Universe. According
to kabbalah, the Hebrew letters are the primal "energies"
with which God spoke the Creation into existence. The inner essence
of a thing are the letters which compose its name in Hebrew.
(The Overview in the book is entitled "Protoplasm of Creation,"
and explains this concept in more detail than I can do here.)
Unlike so many of those pseudo-kabbalah
books on the market, which attempt to use the Hebrew alphabet
and its numerology for fortune-telling, this book is solidly
grounded in authentic Torah sources. Like all of Artscroll's
publications, the approach is Orthodox, but also accessible to
both Jews and non-Jews of all backgrounds. This is not an easy-read
"spirituality" book, however. It is a detailed set
of Torah lessons, to be savored slowly, one letter-chapter at
a time. The author also assumes that you are either familiar
with basic Hebrew terms, or at least willing to take the time
to learn them. But even if you do not already know the Hebrew
alphabet, this book will help you understand the deeper wisdom
within traditional Judaism.
Samuel from Long Beach,
CA United States
The Hebrew Aleph-Bet is explained in such a clear fashion that
anyone can understand. It goes in depth into describing the letters
and give a multitude of examples of how those letters are important
to Torah interpretation. Its delves deeply into Talmud, Midrash
and commentaries to present examples of inspiration and morality
based on these letters. Any student of Hebrew and Kabbalah should
read this book.
J. Oak from Socorro,
NM
I am a Christian Minister, and I greatly enjoyed this book. It
gives an overall view of the basic ideas of Judaism that is clear
and beautiful. It also explains the concept of the creative Word
of God and the power of the spoken word, by a metaphysical analysis
of each letter from Aleph to Tav, each of which is an "entity."
Beautifully written. I read a copy loaned by a Rabbi friend,
and had to get my own copy for future reference.
A reader
One enters the realm of alef-bet wondering what could it have
to do with me and leaves pondering how did one ever exist without
comprehending the applicability of the knowledge that emanates
from this tome? 'Wisdom' transports the reader not only back
in history, but also through a panorama of the very essence of
how words were birthed within the culture of HaShem's people
and yes, their history too. A must for one who desires to drink
from the first springs that feed the mighty rivers..
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