It is precisely in such times— when words are cheap— that it is good to remember that words are sacred
Many of us remember paying for long-distance phone calls by the minute. A three-minute long-distance call could cost five dollars — at a time when a dollar had some real value. Calls between Israel and the US were prohibitive. In such a climate, we were very sparing with our words.
This has all changed. Today, long-distance and intercontinental calls are as inexpensive as local ones. Many seminary girls and yeshivah bochurim speak to their American parents several times a week. As the dollar has become devalued, so has talk.
In such a climate — especially when we stand at the threshold of a new year — it is instructive to note the crucial role of speech in the creation of the world. In the beginning, all was dark, void, and without form. And then we hear for the first time the voice of G-d: “Vayomer, and G-d said, Let there be light.” Note that the text could have simply said: “and G-d created light,” but instead it precedes this with “G-d said.” This word “vayomer” is repeated at least ten times in the creation narrative, suggesting clearly that speech, words, and language are the essential elements in creation. What tool did G-d use to create the world? He used speech; without it, the world would have remained in chaos and darkness, tohu va’vohu.
This is underscored by the translation of Targum Onkelos of 2:7, “and G-d made Adam into a nefesh chayah [literally, a living being].” Onkelos renders the Hebrew nefesh chayah into the Aramaic, ruach memalela, a “speaking creature.” Thus, speech is a sacred gift from Above; it is this gift that distinguishes man from the beasts.
Create a free account to keep reading.
