Q: I heard someone saying something about the Hebrew language being G-d’s language. What is that all about? Is that the language that Adam and Eve spoke?
A: Whereas all other languages use words as representative as the things that they mean, Hebrew is a language of essence. The word for table has no inherent connection to the thing that we eat, study, or lay a guitar on top of. I’m not a kabbalist, but I’ve picked up bits and pieces throughout my studies, and when it says that G-d created the world by saying, “Let there be light,” it was the words that actually created the light. More, is that the words are still being spoken. It might be more accurate to say that G-d didn’t create the world; He is constantly creating the world.
Adam not only spoke to Eve in Hebrew, but our Sages teach us that he had a great wisdom in naming the animals. What was the great wisdom? Just call that one a horse, and that one would be a porcupine. His great wisdom was that he saw their essences and saw that a horse was a combination of the Hebrew letters samech, vav, and samech. He understand the exact nature of each letter and of each animal.
Q: Do you believe that Moses was G-d’s typewriter, so to speak?
A: Yep. The fifth book is more akin to his “contributions,” but he was such a perfected being that his ego was solely to serve G-d, so it too is G-d’s word. He was the human channel through whom G-d revealed His will.
Q: Why do you write G-d with the dash? Do you use a different word when speaking?
A: There are a lot of things that we do to remind ourselves of G-d’s presence. The dash serves as a reminder – this word is different than other words. Like anything, it can be a thoughtless habit, but it serves to help increase your reverence.
I refer to G-d as Hashem in my spoken language amongst those who understand. It simply means “the name.” I will pronounce the word G-d, but I try to not use it lightly. “Oh my G-d,” or using the word as an expression of surprise is not so black and white as to be forbidden, but I believe that it dulls the sensitivity.
