Recently, I was told about the fascinating book, People of the Word – Fifty Words That Shaped Jewish Thinking, written by Mendel Kalmenson and Zalman Abraham. Both authors have an impressive body of work, including books and articles, and have served in various influential roles. Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson is an editor at Chabad.org, while Rabbi Zalman Abraham is a member of the leadership team at the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute and director of The Wellness Institute.
Each chapter of the book is a word in Hebrew with an English translation. The first chapter, “Happiness” explores the Hebrew word simcha—often translated as “joy”—and its central role in Jewish tradition. As highlighted in a 2023 Jewish Chronicle article, the book delves into how “language not only reflects but also shapes cultural values.”
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