Does Ivrit Really Count?

Here is an idea I wanted to share with you in case you had any doubt about the value of Ivrit!

The Power of Speech

Mastering the Hebrew AlephBet can help bring you closer to GD! As we find GD in every letter.

The world was created by the spoken word.

And GD said, ‘’Let there be…’’ And so it was.

And seen in the Aseret Hadibrot - Eser meaning ten and DaVAr is the root of the word Hadibrot meaning SPEAK. The 10 spoken words are the basis of our existence!

What is our narrative?

Are we using our Speech for Good or Bad? Lashon haRah or Lashon haTov. To build worlds or chas ve chalilah - GD forbid, destroy worlds.

So what is it really worth?

We have 22 letters in the AlephBet, which make up the Hebrew Language and therefore the world. Each with its own numerical value. And each letter of equal importance in creating the world we want.

For example, the current year is 5781 (תשפ"א). - Taf, Shin, Peh, Aleph. And ends on the 29th of Elul ( כ"ט באלול - Kaf’’Tet). Numbers and letters would need a deeper discussion but broadly speaking

Aleph א = 1

Taf ת = 400

Now Take a Deep Breath

If you look carefully at each of these letters you will notice that each letter cannot exist without the letter י Yud with this form existing in each letter. (It is also the smallest letter but worthy of a deeper discussion on its own).

Now in order to mouth the letters of the AlephBet, we need our breath which is formed by the letter ה Hey - Take a deep breath in and exhale through your mouth. (Haaaa).

By taking our י and ה and adding the ו - VaV and the ה - Hey and placing them together you get GDs very name as acknowledged to be in all forms.

Make Hebrew Count

So let's pause, reflect and choose our words wisely this Elul and going forward into the New Year knowing that this isn't just any old language.

And if I have harmed you in any way through my actions or speech (or perhaps lack thereof), please forgive me.

Hope the year ahead brings an abundance of blessings to you all.

Martin

(With thanks to Rabbi’s Braun and Hecht (study of Tanya). Rabbi’s Kelman, Thurgood, and Brett for daily inspiration and Chabad.org (Rabbi Gordon) and Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan and his book Sefer Yetzirah and Rabbi Shlomo for his assistance).