The Aleph Bet of Torah

            The first letter of the Ten Commandments is aleph, the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

            Our Sages note that the first letter of the Torah is bet, the second letter of the alphabet. According to the Sages, the letter aleph complained to the Creator, claiming priority. Being the opening letter of the alphabet, aleph argued that it should be privileged to start the description of creation.  God responded to the aleph that He cannot begin the description of creation with it because the word arur (curse) begins with it.  Creation must begin with the letter bet, the initial letter of the word bracha (blessing). However, to compensate the aleph, God told it that He will begin the Ten Commandments with aleph.

            The question is, if aleph represents a curse, why is acceptable to begin the Commandments with it?

            My father explained that the Sages’ intention is this: aleph, the first letter of the alphabet represents being static, avoiding change. Reaching bet, the second letter implies change. In the world of physical creation, there must be change. For creation to remain stationary and fixed is a curse. The blessing of creation is change, movement and progress. However, in the realm of Torah, there cannot be change. God’s law is fixed and immutable, applying equally to all generations.