Parashat Bereshit is brimming with potential connections to the English language, making it challenging to decide what to highlight in a short blog post. Since this parasha begins with God's miraculous creation of the heavens and the earth, I will focus on the word "abracadabra."
Who isn’t familiar with this mystical incantation used by stage magicians and children’s party entertainers? But how many know its etymological Hebrew origin and its connection to this parasha? "Abracadabra" is derived from the Hebrew phrase ebrah k’dabri, meaning "I will create as I speak," suggesting that the act of speech can magically create new realities. This concept aligns with the kabbalistic belief that the words and letters of the Hebrew alphabet possess creative power and that God's speech brought about creation.
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) acknowledges that "abracadabra" is a kabbalistic term, “supposed when written triangularly, or in some other forms, to be a charm against fevers, etc.” However, the OED traces it back to a Latin word of supposed Greek origin. Fortunately, we know that most kabbalistic words have Hebrew roots.
So the next time you hear "abracadabra," remember it’s not just a magical incantation—it’s a divine echo from the very beginning of creation. Now, if that’s not a neat trick what is?