The Wisdom in the Hebrew Alphabet: the Sacred Letters as a Guide to Jewish

by Michael L. Munk

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, 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.

Genres: Religion, Judaism, Jewish, Nonfiction, Theology, Language

240 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1983

Reviews

[Ayo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed, but technical reading. Easy to follow in terms of putting the subject matter into context. For those who aspect to learn fully the details of the Hebrew Alphabet, this book is a great beginner.

[Manugw · Rating 5 out of 5]

LETTERS NOT FOR THE CASUAL READER

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

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could be a casual read or a lifelong course. Although some might consider it Kabbalah-related, rather than numerology, it is more the numerics of God, like Del Washburn's work, "Theomatics". It is a scripture-interpretive help, based on numeric values of Hebrew letters, as in aleph, meaning "The Lord is One", and how the first commandment has to do with that topic. God's shorthand. Fascinating work, but read with discernment.

[Kerry Pickens · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are studying Hebrew and want to learn more about the meanings of the individual letters, this is the book for you. The Hebrew alphabet has numeric meaning as well as roots of words based on their combinations. It's fascinating stuff and adds more texture to the text.

[Karen Murano]

tough read! very deep, and you have to really focus... I usually re-read everything. love it though

[Shiva Seven · Rating 4 out of 5]

a wonderful source of contemplation.

[Talya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes you so proud being Jewish! In our alphabet, LASHON HAKODESH, every dot and every line have such profound layers of meaning.
I brought here part of a beautiful poem which demostrate the Jewish people close and passionate relationship to their alphabet.

מתוך הבית השני בפיוט "יפה ותמה":
נִתְעַלְּסָה בְגִיל בַּאֲהָבִים
בְּסוֹד נְקֻדּוֹת עִם הַתֵּבוֹת כְּתָרִים עִם אוֹתִיּוֹת
פְּתוּחוֹת עִם סְתוּמוֹת נֶעְלָמוֹת סוֹדָם בָּרָמוֹת
אוֹרוֹת עֶלְיוֹנִים טוֹב מִזָּהָב וּפְנִינִים
מַעְיָן גַּנִּים בְּשִׁבְעִים פָּנִים כֻּלָּם חוֹנִים
הֵן אֲנִי עֶבֶד נִרְצָע לָךְ קִנְיָן בְּלֵב שָׁלֵם

https://youtu.be/ljTl1gwv-Qg

[Michael Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for any student of Qabalah, Kabbalah, or QKabbalah.

[Princess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clearnd well written!

[Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING STUDY BOOK ABOUT THE HEBREW MEANING OF THE HEBREW LETTERS

[Becky Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a deep study, not a casual read. It provides fascinating insight into Jewish beliefs and thought.

[Kisha Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love, this Hebrew wisdom book. I reference it again and again. It's sure to be a treasure on your bookshelf.

[daniel dirnfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

We learn in this book what each letter means in this world

[Suzanne Hess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read. Highly recommended.