From the very first Kabbalistic work, through the Talmud, through an impressive array of rabbinic literature, great minds have found the Aleph-Beis to be a gold mine of wisdom and guidance. This fascinating best-seller weaves these golden threads into a glorious tapestry, presenting hundreds of ideas and comments on the Aleph-Beis, including: the Aleph-Beis as the force of Creation, as a primer for Jewish living, and as a fountainhead of Torah insight and mystical meaning. The product of decades of learning, thinking, and teaching by the revered educator, lecturer, and community activist Rabbi Michael L. Munk. A treat not to be missed.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
Language Notes
Text: English, Hebrew
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
162 of 162 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
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 meanngs, 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.
67 of 68 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Going over the Hebrew Alphabet, Rabbi Munk offers more than enlightening insights about these letters of divine origin
He makes many observations about the reason why every letter was created, why it has that particular shape and orientation and how it communicates with the physical and spiritual realms as well as with other letters
It also makes many related references citing Midrashic (Torah interpretations), Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) sources
Although the book follows a definite structure, one letter, one chapter, the extent and depth of the explanations for every letter go quite different as letters are indeed different too
I conclude that this is not a book to read just one time because one is interested in this particular subject but a reference volume worth to be consulted many times, in any library of any University for the purpose of religious studies and research
He makes many observations about the reason why every letter was created, why it has that particular shape and orientation and how it communicates with the physical and spiritual realms as well as with other letters
It also makes many related references citing Midrashic (Torah interpretations), Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) sources
Although the book follows a definite structure, one letter, one chapter, the extent and depth of the explanations for every letter go quite different as letters are indeed different too
I conclude that this is not a book to read just one time because one is interested in this particular subject but a reference volume worth to be consulted many times, in any library of any University for the purpose of religious studies and research
80 of 84 people found the following review helpful
By Judy Oak
Format:Hardcover
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
NOT FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT SPEAK JEWISH
I did not by this book through Amazon. This book is not for people who do not speak, read and write Jewish. Unfortunately I do not. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
Meaning in Everything
I love the study of linguistics and language, and this book is a great resource for the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Read more
Published 2 months ago by crystalC
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent.
Perfect! How many more words must I write to be polite? Seriously, if one is satisfied
stop with the word requirements!
stop with the word requirements!
Published 3 months ago by Brian Glubish
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Study Material
An Excellent Study Book that I would suggest to those who are not afraid to learn what is in our DNA ,from Our Creator of The Universe, The Creator of ALL things.
Published 5 months ago by susan folland
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful book
Well thought out and researched, this book provides an easy and approachable understanding of the Hebrew letters and their numerology.
Published 5 months ago by Dale Knight
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unusual Book
Appreciate the fact that this book was available. Very precise and not complicated to read, but you do need some background in Hebrew.
Published 5 months ago by Barbara L. Cook
1.0 out of 5 stars
This is Jewish mysticism, not Hebrew language.
I first encountered this book when my aunt showed it to me and told me how wonderful it has been in teaching her the language. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Justin L. Holmes
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good.
I ejoyed trying to read this. I am just learning Hebrew and this is a little over my head. Otherwise very informative.
Published 14 months ago by Lena West
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational and well written
As I read this book, I can sense the passion behind the author and know that it wasn't just thrown together but has countless years of thought and preparation behind it. Read more
Published 16 months ago by R. Stout
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Meat and Bones of Mystical Judaism
It is difficult, although not impossible, to have a real appreciation for some of the deeper studies of religious Judaism without a knowledge of Hebrew and, to an extent, Aramaic. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Eric Maroney
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 3
books:
4
books
cite this book:
- The One and Only by Francis King on page 45
- One and Only , the by F. King on page 45
- Babylon 5: In the Beginning by Peter David on page 216
- The Oracle of Kabbalah: Mystical Teachings of the Hebrew Letters by Richard Seidman in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Rhetorical Democracy: Discursive Practices of Civic Engagement by Gerard Hauser on page 204
- Hebrew Language and Jewish Thought (Routledge Jewish Studies Series) by David Patterson in Back Matter
- Jewish Mysticism: An Introduction by J. H. Laenen on page 283
Books on Related Topics
(learn more)
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
So You'd Like to...
|
|
