New Book Offers Deeper Insights Into Lashon Hakodesh
Reviewing "Powerful Torah Insights about Languages (Insights Series)," by Rabbi Yehoshua Alt. Independently published. July 2026. 220 pages. Hardcover ISBN-13: 979-8186432357, Paperback ISBN 13: 979-8186432258
By Chaim Yehuda Meyer
Rabbi Yehoshua Alt, author of the weekly "Fascinating Insights" parsha sheet, became interested in languages as interest in his newsletter grew. As requests came in for his divrei Torah to be translated into Yiddish, Hebrew, German, Spanish and French, Rabbi Alt became interested in the role language plays in our everyday lives. What does the written language reveal about a people? Where can we find traces of lashon hakodesh in other languages? What hidden mysticism lies Inside Hebrew grammar? Is it important to master a language? Rabbi Alt explores these questions and more in his new book "Powerful Torah Insights about Languages."
Rabbi Alt merited to learn under the tutelage of Rabbi Mordechai Friedlander, zt"l, for close to five years and received semicha from Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg, zt"l. Rabbi Alt has written thousands of Torah articles on numerous topics for various websites and publications and is the author of 13 fascinating and popular books. His writings—many of which have been translated into Yiddish, Hebrew, German, Spanish and French—inspire people across the spectrum of Jewish observance to live with the vibrancy and beauty of Torah.
One example of the power of language Rabbi Alt brings in his new book "Powerful Torah Insights about languages" comes from the bracha of Barech Aleinu in Shemonch Esrei. In this bracha, we ask Hashem for livelihood. The combination of the Hebrew letters in our davening activates spheres in the upper realms in a way that could not be accomplished if we davened in another language. This is one reason why it is important to daven in lashon hakodesh, even if we might not understand the words.
Lashon hakodesh is imbued with holiness. The Hebrew word "ikkur" closely resembles the English word "core." Additionally, there is a parallel between the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, "aleph" which is similar to the word "elevate." A parallel between English and Aramaic, another language imbued with holiness (see the chapter "Where Languages Meet"), is mamon (money) which in sound resembles the word money. "Manneh," which sounds like the word "money," was a currency in the times of Chazal. Also, "munn," which echoes the word money, represents parnassa (money).
Rabbi Alt makes the often-esoteric wisdom of Kabbalah at least partially accessible to the general reader, notes Rabbi Yitzchok Breitowitz of Yeshivas Ohr Somayach. In the chapter "Molecules and Mysticism: The Secret Life of Water," we are given a glimpse of the depth and richness lashon hakodesh provides. "Spiritual ideas and patterns are embedded within creation itself," says Rabbi Alt. The Hebrew word for water, "mayim" contains two mems and one yud. The gematria of yud is 10 while each mem is 40, adding up to 10 and 80, respectively. This gives us a 1:8 ratio. Thus, Torah's word for water reflects the chemical composition of water!
In this fascinating book, Rabbi Alt points to great Torah personalities who expressed the importance of mastering a language. One of these was Rabbi Mordechai Gifter. On the first day of English class each year at Telz, Rabbi Gifter would deliver an impassioned speech. He would emphasize that having English in one's schedule is not bitul Torah. He stressed that Torah Jews serve as ambassadors of the Torah to the broader world. When a Torah Jew is articulate—able to speak and write clearly—it brings immeasurable kiddush Hashem.
Another interesting feature of this book is found in the section of "Mysticism of Hebrew Grammar." In one of the exceptional essays, Rabbi Alt shares fascinating Torah on this topic:
The first set of three different vowels are the cholam (o), shuruk (u) and chirik (i). Each of these vowels represents different aspects associated with one of the three spheres of creation. The highest sphere occupied by divine angels corresponds to the cholam. The cholam, which is placed above the letter, occupies the highest position of all the vowels. This represents the formation of the divine and angelic sphere. Additionally, the letters that comprise the word חלום (cholam) spell חלום (chalom), a dream, a state in which one may experience lofty divine disclosures.
The next lower sphere, which is occupied by the celestial sphere of the planets, corresponds to the shuruk. The shuruk is placed in a central position, just like the middle celestial sphere of the planets. This sphere connects the upper sphere and the lower sphere. Consequently, when we reorder the letters of the word קשר, "connection" or "knot," alluding to the fact that its positioning ties together the cholam and the chirik. This is just like the sphere occupied by the planetary orbits that connect the spheres above and below it.
The lowest sphere, our physical world, corresponds to the chirik, which is placed beneath the letter, the lowest placement. Shuffling the letters of the word קבר we get to the name קבר who was buried alive underground, the lowest point, just like the chirik which is placed at the lowest point. Rearranging these letters again, we get the word רחוק, distance, reflecting what the chirik vowel represents, this world, which is the furthest away from the upper worlds. The word חקר also spells חקר, to investigate and question, hinting to humanity's constant drive in this physical world to search, question and expand knowledge.
"Powerful Torah Insights about Languages" explores this fascinating subject through 80-plus meticulous and well-researched essays written from a Torah point of view. Rabbi Alt helps readers along on a journey to connect language to Jewish thought through the Torah's infinite wisdom. His book is filled with insights into language that will enable one to appreciate lashon hakodesh more.
"Powerful Torah Insights about Languages" is available for purchase at www.amazon.com/dp/B0H85/LBYQ, by sending a WhatsApp to +972 54 849 5217 or by emailing [email protected]. Rabbi Alt lectures, writes and teaches, and is passionate about inspiring Jews of all levels of observance. His shiurim can be found on various websites, including Kol Halashon. He can be reached at [email protected] or on WhatsApp at +972 54 849 5217.
Chaim Yehuda Meyer is an attorney and writer living in Brooklyn. Mr. Meyer's articles have been featured in the New Jersey Jewish Link as well as other local and international newspapers. He can be reached at [email protected]
