**These are the names of the chieftains of Esau, according to their families in their respective areas, by their names: …AluphTeman,**¹” means “chief” or “Master. The Baal Shem Tov will make a play on the word, reading it as the Hebrew letter “aleph.” Aluph Mivtzar, Aluph Magdiel…. (Genesis 36:40-43) Every word of slander and gossip² is composed of the twenty-two letters of the Torah.³, as first letter, is closer to the source of emanation than the tav – the last letter (which corresponds to Malchus). Thus, G‑d, who stands at head of the chain of emanation, is said to dwell most intensely in the letter aleph. When a person speaks improperly, and then studies Torah with the twenty-two letters, he elevates the letters of those improper words. The Baal Shem Tov said, in jest, thus it says: “Aluph Teman.” That is, the Master of the World – the Alupho shel Olam – is within the letter aleph.⁴ It is a wonder (tamu’a⁵) how a person can speak slander in secret (b’ mivtzar⁶) with the letter aleph, the head of the letters. However, Aleph Magdiel – when he recounts words of wisdom (Magid E-l⁷), he uplifts it. Toldos Yaakov Yosef, p. 108c

footnotes: ¹ “Aluph ² Lashon hara. ³ As primal forces in creation, the Hebrew alphabet is at times described as a chain that links heaven to earth. In that sense, the aleph ⁴ As the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. ⁵ I.e. a reference to Aluph Teman. ⁶ Literally, “in a fortress.” The allusion is to Aluph Mivtzar. ⁷ Literally, “a preacher of G‑d.”