Thursday, October 17, 2013
Eigth Day of Sukkot Teaching
Friday, October 11, 2013
Tav ת The Covenant Marker
Tav ת is the 22nd letter of the Hebrew alep bet. Its numerical value is 400 but reaches to infinity. The first time Tav ת is found as the root of a word in Torah is at Genesis 1:2 in the word תהו tehu; meaning a deep, dark place; falsehood and confusion. As the letter farthest from the alep א it represents the lowest point of spirituality. It is a reminder that in reaching out to God and entering into a covenant with Him through His Word that He will lift us up and never leave it forsake us.
Shin ש The Paradox
Shin ש is the 21st letter of the Hebrew alep bet and has a numerical value of 300. Shin ש means tooth. The first time shin ש is the root of a word in Torah is at Genesis 1:1 in the word השמים hashamayim; the heavens. Shin ש is found in the front of many mezuzot as this letter represents El Shaddai; God Almighty. As a paradox shin ש has two points of view; one good and one evil. God's point of view or our point of view.
Resh ר The Authority
Resh ר is the 20th letter of the Hebrew alep bet and has a numerical value of 200. The first time resh ר appears as the root of a word in Torah is at Genesis 1:1 in the word בראשית bereisheet; meaning "in beginning" resh ר represents authority or headship.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Qof ק The Ape.
Qof ק is the 19th letter of the Hebrew alep bet. Its numerical value is 100. Qof ק means ape. In this letter we see ourselves mimicking another just as a monkey at the zoo might mimick a person. In its construction we see the kaf כ blessing the vav ו. The first time qof ק is found as the root of a word in Torah is at Genesis 1:5 in the word קרא qera; to call or cry out.
Tsade צ The Righteous.
Tsade צ is the 18th letter of the Hebrew alep bet. It has a numerical value of 90. Tsade צ is first found as the root of a word in Torah at Genesis 1:26 in the word צלם tsalem meaning image. Tsade is the root of the word צדיכ tsadik meaning righteous. In looking at Tsade צ we see a man kneeling in prayer with his hands lifted to God.
Pey פ The mouth.
Pey פ is the 17th letter of the alep bet with a numerical value of 80. It is first found as the root of a word in Torah at Genesis 1:2 in the word פני penay; meaning face. Pey פ means mouth. It also represents The Word and communication or prayer.
Ayin ע The Light of the Eye.
Ayin ע is the 16th letter of the Hebrew alep bet. It has a numerical value of 70. The first time Ayin ע is found as the root of a word in Torah is at Genesis 1:5 in the word ערב erev; meaning evening. Ayin ע as the eye represents perception. At evening it is not light or dark, perception is necessary to discern one from the other.