Lashon HaKodesh: History, Holiness, & Hebrew

by Reuven Chaim Klein

Throughout Jewish literature, the Hebrew language is referred to as Lashon HaKodesh. Its history, origins, decline, and rebirth are simply fascinating. Furthermore, at its deepest level, Lashon HaKodesh is called such ( the Holy Language ) because it is intrinsically sacred and is thus unlike any other language known to Man. Lashon HaKodesh: History, Holiness, & Hebrew seeks to understand the holiness of Lashon HaKodesh, follows its history, and focuses on the significance of Aramaic and other Jewish languages such as Yiddish and Ladino. An extended section is devoted to Modern Hebrew, its controversies, and its implications from a religious perspective. This unique work delves into the linguistic history of each Jewish language , as well as the philological, Kabbalistic, and Halachic approaches to this topic taken by various Rabbinic figures through the ages. The author also compares and contrasts traditional Jewish views to those of modern-day academia, offering proofs and difficulties to both approaches. As the old saying goes, Two Jews, three opinions. In almost every chapter, more than one way of looking at the matter at hand is presented. In some cases, the differing opinions can be harmonized, but ultimately many matters remain subject to dispute. Hopefully, the mere knowledge of these sources will whet the reader s intellectual curiosity to learn more. Written by a brilliant young scholar, Lashon HaKodesh: History, Holiness, & Hebrew is ground-breaking, intriguing, and remarkable.

Genres: Judaism, Jewish, Judaica, Religion, Ancient History, History

319 pages, Hardcover

First published November 25, 2014

About the author

Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein is a graduate of Emek Hebrew Academy and Yeshiva Gedolah of Los Angeles. He is also a proud student of the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem and Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood. He received Rabbinic ordination from several leading figures in Jerusalem, including Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg, and Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Lerner.

His writings have been published in several prestigious journals including Jewish Bible Quarterly (Jerusalem), Kovetz Hamaor (New York), Kovetz Kol HaTorah (London), and Kovetz Iyun HaParsha (Jerusalem). Most recently, this young scholar has dedicated time and efforts to researching the history and religious significance of Lashon HaKodesh.

He is currently a fellow at the Kollel of Yeshivas Mir in Jerusalem and lives with his wife and children in Beitar Illit, Israel.

Reviews

[Yaakov Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fascinated by this book and all the myriad approaches the author uses to explain and emphasize his conceptual grasp of the Genesis, spread and adaptation of the original language. It is helpful to the reader to believe and be focused on the inherent spiritual meaning of this premise and I believe that is something the author takes into account. Why not focus on a language that has infinite spiritual power as opposed to languages that were developed as practical forms of communication. This is an amazing book on how man dovetails with his expression and it will definitely leave

the reader enriched.

[Rivka Levy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written in a down-to-earth, easy to read style. The copious notes and source materials are corralled into the footnotes, so it doesn't slow up the book’s narrative,while still giving the reader access to the extra stuff.
The book also presents readers with a lot of different, and occasionally even conflicting opinions about the various traditions we have regarding Lashon Hakodesh, enabling the reader to make their mind up for themselves, where they felt the truth really lies, which I liked.
Spanning from the beginning of time, right up to the use of modern-day Hebrew and the State of Israel, the book packs a lot of information and material into its pages, but it’s not in the least overwhelming or (worse…) boring.
It's an interesting read even if you’re not a language ‘nerd’, and full of fascinating facts about the Jewish use of biblical Hebrew that you probably never knew before.