Question:

Dear Rabbi,

Why is Hebrew written right to left?

Thanks,

Michael

Answer:

Dear Michael,

Although I am not aware of a specific source that discusses this question, I would suggest the following idea in the manner of conjecture, that from a graphological point of view the left represents the past and the right represents the future. The Torah is most important in its testimony of what happened in the past. Although it must be continuously applied to whatever generation we live in, and we will use all forms of modern technology to help us study the Torah, we still recognize that it’s most important aspect is that it was a revelation going back in time to Moses on Mt. Sinai about 3300 years ago.

After thousands of years of recorded history, mankind continues to flounder with our most important issues, love of humanity, marital and familial relationships, feeding the poor, educating the ignorant, etc. With all of our scientific prowess, we can’t seem to evolve into a more enlightened state. For spirituality it is obvious that the past is the best source of information and study.