Introduction
The Hebrew Alef-Beit (alphabet), despite its
apparent simplicity, contains within it the deepest secrets of Creation.
The Kabbalistic classic Sefer Yetzirah (Book of
Formation) teaches that creative consciousness exists in three states (space, time, and
soul), which are reflected in the form, name and numerical equivalent of each letter.
Rabbi Yisrael Ba'al Shem Tov (founder of the Chassidic movement), taught that
each letter also exists in each of the three dimensions of Worlds, Souls, and Divinity.
"Worlds" refers to the physical, material, human,
moral, and personal dimension, "Souls" to the Jewish religious/spiritual
dimension, and "Divinity" to the Godly dimension. Since each of these dimensions
is reflected in each letter's three facets--its shape, its name, and its numerical
value--we can distinguish nine separate categories of meaning for each letter:
We are presenting here excerpts from Rabbi Yitzchak
Ginsburgh's book on the mystical dimensions of the Hebrew alphabet, "The
Hebrew Letters." In it are discussed many basic as well as advanced concepts in Jewish thought.
In the book, Rabbi
Ginsburgh precedes his detailed treatment of these nine categories for each letter with
-
a kernel-phrase which synopsizes the basic essence of the letter,
-
a general
introduction to the letter, and
-
a summary chart of the discussions to follow.
Here on the Internet we are presenting this introductory
material for each letter. The reader who wishes to explore the letters more fully is
advised to consult the full-length book.
To order "The Hebrew Letters"
(as well as a list of Rabbi Ginsburgh's other books and
tapes) visit the:
Inner Dimension
On-line Shopping
Center
of Kabbalah and Chassidut.
or for more information email: orders@inner.org
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