61 of 62 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Buried Treasure" is an accurate title for this book, May 11, 2001
This review is from: Buried Treasure: Hidden Wisdom from the Hebrew Language (Hardcover)
I went to Hebrew school in the 1970s for my bar mitzvah and "learned Hebrew" -- meaning, learned how to pronounce the letters, while having absolute no idea what the words meant. This is about all the Hebrew education Reform and Conservative Jews tend to get from their temples. Later I learned to understand Hebrew well enough to read the Pentateuch. As a longtime resident of the Upper West Side, Manhattan, I heard all kinds of rabbis talk about all kinds of Jewish subjects. But I didn't REALLY begin to comprehend this amazing language till I started reading Rabbi Lapin's writings about the insights that are coded in the very structure of Hebrew grammar, spelling, etc. So when I heard he'd written a whole book about Hebrew, I was very excited. I'm a little disappointed that the book isn't more comprehensive; it's fairly short. Hopefully there'll be a second volume. But what's here is great: a variety of Hebrew words analyzed in detail, in a very accessible, charming way, that yield lots of sometimes-counterintuitive "life lessons" about everything from sex to work to deepening your relationship with God. There's no heavy grammar or vocabulary. You won't come away from the book being able to speak or read Hebrew. That's not the point. It's more like a series of fun, elegant essays about life that unfold from Lapin's incomparable command of this ancient tongue. I've read all about those "Bible code" books, that are supposed to show how information is coded in the text of the Hebrew Bible. I'm not sure about that. But the way Hebrew works -- almost like mathematics -- is enough to make you wonder if there's something supernatural going on with this language. I mean, I don't think Enlish works that way. "Buried Treasure" is a pretty accurate title for this book.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Thoughtful Look at the Mother of All Languages., October 19, 2004
This review is from: Buried Treasure: Hidden Wisdom from the Hebrew Language (Hardcover)
Rabbi Daniel Lapin, known for his penetrating insights into the country's political clashes (see ``America's Real War''), gets back to more traditional rabbinic fare in ``Buried Treasure,'' an examination of key words in the Hebrew language.
Rabbi Lapin informs us that Hebrew is more like mathematics (perhaps that's why I'm lousy at math and also break my teeth on Hebrew) than it is like another language. Thus the Torah (the Jewish Bible) is a complex data stream, a long computer program that explains all of reality, the rabbi says.
Delving deeply into a Hebrew word yields important lessons that if incorporated into the way one lives makes the person and the world a better place.
Reading a word backwards is another way to derive meaning, Rabbi Lapin says. Also, numerical analysis using the ancient Jewish numbering system known as gemetria (in which attached to consonants are fixed numerical values) is helpful. Vowels are of secondary importance, Rabbi Lapin says. In fact, Hebrew roots can be vowelized in different ways to derive additional meanings, he says.
The chapter on the verb Paleil, which approximately means ``I pray'' in English, should be reviewed periodically by those desiring to keep their prayers from becoming a rote mechanical exercise.
Orthodox Jewish sensibilities might be slightly offended by the book's cover which features a Siddur (Jewish prayer book) in dirt as well as by the fact that the Orthodox Rabbi Lapin admits to having a video player in his home so that his family can occasionally - gasp! - watch movies.
But, make no mistake, ``Buried Treasure'' is a kosher book and a refreshing book. The work is very approachable and readable. No previous experience with Hebrew is required. The chapters are short which is surprising considering the depth of the material.
Rabbi Lapin is internationally known for his ability to give over Jewish wisdom in practical, useful ways. Some rabbis might imagine the height of spirituality is prattling in Yiddish about what some commentator said 1,000 years ago about an arcane aspect of Jewish law. It is pleasing to see a rav leave the ivory tower to teach important life lessons from the Holy Torah that benefit all people. Such a man is practicing true Chesed (kindness).
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Golden Nuggets, June 9, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Buried Treasure: Hidden Wisdom from the Hebrew Language (Hardcover)
This book is so enjoyable to read that you may be surprised how much you are learning and gleaning from its insights. This book has great examples of how to apply lessons to your day-to-day life. I loved Rabbi's other book, but this is great in a totally different way. It is non-political but still has a lot to say on th best way for us to organize our relationships, relate to our Maker, and become successful in our professional lives. This book made me want to meet the author and ask his advice on everything- which most 'self help' books do not usually do. I heartily recommend it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
