These Words: Poetic Midrash on the Language of Torah

by Alden Solovy

In These Words, liturgist Alden Solovy distills the Torah into its very the individual words it contains. Echoing the midrash that the Torah has seventy faces, Solovy selects seventy of its Hebrew words that are pregnant with meaning. For each word, he delves into the etymology, translation, and usage, providing deeper insights into familiar texts. Then Solovy presents a beautiful poem--what he calls "poetic midrash"--inspired by and interpreting each word. From b'reishit ("in beginning") to shamayim ("heavens") to zachor ("remember"), These Words will change the way you look at the language of the Torah.

196 pages, Paperback

Published February 2, 2023

Reviews

[Margaret Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alden Solovy grew up in Chicagoland and made aliyah to Israel after his wife died. He has become a great liturgist, poet piyutan creating liturgy for moments that the rabbis of the Talmud--or frankly into the 20th century could imagine. He is my go to person if there is a tragedy anywhere in the world or I need a dose of hope. This book is different. He examines 70 key Biblical Hebrew words, gives us some of the etymology, some midrash, some context and greatly expands our understanding of "these words". His understanding leads to our understanding. And then, gloriously there is an Alden poem. I a still working on the best way to savor this book. Personally I think that one should read each word separately, a word a day. As a group I think perhaps it is best when that word comes up in conversation, a sermon, a discussion, as a reference work, perhaps.

[Steve Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful poetry, pros about different key concepts, and words in the Torah. Unique combination, with profound insights.