Gematria is a particular study of Jewish mysticism based on the numerical value of Hebrew letters in the Aleph Bais {Hebrew alphabet} as inscribed in the Torah. Jewish Gematria has many disciplines.
This study of mysticism in Hebrew Gematria is dedicated in loving memory to Mr. Paul Sakash, may he rest in peace.
This week’s parsha focuses on the purpose for which B’nei Yisroel was delivered from Mitzriam. Our sages teach that the central purpose was associated less with freedom and more with receiving the presence of the Shechinah. We observe this in the Gematria Vi Shaw Chahn Tee {I will dwell}. Now there is a point to receiving the presence of G-d. Preparation is required. Let’s observe the preparation as recorded in this week’s parsha:
1.) “Separate... Aharon and his sons... from among B’nei Yisroel...” Exodus 28:1
2.) “Make sacred garments... for honor and splendor [for Aharon and his sons].” Exodus 28:2
3.) “And you shall clothe them... and anoint them... and consecrate them... and sanctify them [Aharon and his sons].” Exodus 28:41
Now in this required observance of Aharon and his sons, the Kohanim, we observe a most beautiful correlation to Shabbos:
1.) Just as Aharon, the Kohen Godal / High Priest and his sons / the Kohanim were separated from B’nei Yisroel, so is Shabbos / the Seventh Day, separated from among the other six days by observant Jews according to Torah.
2.) Just as sacred garments were prepared for the honor and splendor of the priesthood for Aharon, the Kohen Godal / High Priest, and his sons / the Kohanim, we begin making preparations for the coming Shabbos immediately following Havdalah. Throughout the week we make special purchases lechabad Shabbos {in honor of Shabbos}. We adorn our Shabbos table with a pure white linen tablecloth, fine china, crafted silverware, an ornate Kiddush cup, a handcrafted challah board, an embroidered challah cover, etc. We wear our finest clothing for the honor and splendor of Shabbos.
3.) Just as Aharon and his sons were clothed, anointed, consecrated and sanctified, we do the same for Shabbos. We cannot enter Shabbos as if it were any other day. Shabbos must be elevated above the other six days. Shabbos must be clothed in ornate beauty by those who observe it... the wife’s lighting of the Shabbos candles, Le Kol Dodi {the call for the Shabbos bride to come}, Shalom Aleichem {the song welcoming the visiting angels / messengers accompanying us from shul to our Shabbos table}, the wife’s preparation of the Shabbos meal, chicken soup with kinneidelah, gefilte fish {food of the rich}, special appetizers, kugel, cooked vegetables and salads plus a special chicken or meat dish followed by dessert. In the Belk home, one of our great secrets surrounding challah is my precious, dear beschert, Naomi, bathing the challah in pure olive oil. And next to the challah stands a Kiddush cup glowing with kedushah from over a hundred years of barachas, passed down from generation to generation in Naomi Leah’s family. We stand for Kiddush, offering blessings over wine and bread. We enjoy a wonderful meal, share Torah and sing songs. And then we thank G-d for all of his many goodnesses.
Dear holy, holy reader, in this we see how the separation of Aharon and his sons, as described above, and Shabbos share so much in common. Mystically, we observe that the Gematria of Vi Shaw Chahn Tee {I will dwell} and the Gematria of Yi Shoo Ahs {SALVATION} are the same: 786.
Vi Shaw Chahn Tee {I will dwell}
786 = Yud 10 Sav 400 Nun 50 Chof 20 Shin 300 Vav 6
Yi Shoo Ahs {SALVATION}
786 = Sav 400 Ayin 70 Vav 6 Shin 300 Yud 10
Within the words Vi Shaw Chahn Tee and Yi Shoo Ahs there are four letters which are commonly shared and three letters which are not commonly shared. Notice that the Chof and Nun are the center letters of Vi Shaw Chahn Tee {I will dwell}. This is extremely interesting because Chof Nun spells Kayn {yes, rightly and honestly}. So from this we learn that anyone who desires to approach close to Hashem’s presence, like the Kohanim or in honor of Shabbos, must do so with the central theme of “rightly and honestly.”
Kayn {yes, rightly and honestly}
70 = Nun 50 Chof 20
We observe that in the word Yi Shoo Ahs is the letter Ayin which symbolizes sight / insight, the 70 Zah Kanim / Elders and the 70 nations of the world. Here we learn that salvation is acquired through sight / insight of the wise and available to all 70 nations of the world.
Ayin {sight / insight, the 70 Zah Kanim / Elders and the 70 nations of the world}
70 = Ayin
So we see in approaching G-d a connection in these 3 letters. The Gematria of the Chof and Nun = 70 and the Ayin = 70. And this is not by chance. Mystically this teaches us the correct approach for Shabbos observance. And how do we know this? Because the Mispar Katan of the Chof and Nun = 7. And the Mispar Katan of Ayin = 7. The number 7 represents the 7th day, Shabbos. So again in the mystical sense we see this incredible connection in this week’s parsha between the Kohanim and Shabbos.
Mispar Katan:
Kayn {yes, rightly and honestly}
7 = Nun 5 Chof 2
Ayin {sight / insight, the 70 Zah Kanim / Elders and the 70 nations of the world}
7 = Ayin
Thousands of years ago, as B’nei Yisroel journeyed from their deliverance from Mitzriam to the BaMidbar, G-d’s presence was very evident to them and the rest of the world. G-d’s presence was evident in the cloud by day... the fire by night... the manna that fell six mornings a week... and in much more. G-d’s presence was evident in the deliverance of B’nei Yisroel from Mitzriam... in the splitting of the Sea of Reeds... in thunder, lightning and the great sound of the ram’s horn {shofar} on Har Sinai. That being the situation, one must wonder, why didn’t the people of the world come in droves and flocks to honor Hashem? So many in our world preach about miracles and make such a big thing about miracles. Yet in those days, the people of the world kept their distance from G-d and one must wonder why.
Today that has changed. There is a new and incredible attraction to Judaism that is as bold and beautiful as the many colors of the rainbow in the sky. It is like a rainbow colored neon sign across the heart of every Jew flashing “Shabbos, Shabbos!” All of a sudden, seemingly out of nowhere, descendants of Jews, the Eh Ved, the descendants of the Eh Ved, Spiritualists and Messianics have this attraction, this draw to observe Shabbos. The reason for this attraction is the Jewish observance of Shabbos. Shabbos observance has such a special atmosphere that it is addictive. There are so many angles and beauties of Shabbos coming together that one actually feels the Creator’s Presence just as if they were in the BaMidbar. Anyone who visits an observant Jewish home during Shabbos is affected by our Shabbos Queen.
The strange thing is that we who are the “light of the world”... we who are the kings and priests of the nations drive these people away. We insult them, we belittle them and we call them goyim. We say they cannot be taught Torah. AND THAT IS INCORRECT. Let us consider that within Torah there are many Mitzvohs that Jews share with Spiritualists and the Eh Ved. Our Torah is also the Torah of the Spiritualist and the Torah of the Eh Ved. Knowing this we cannot honestly prohibit the Spiritualist and the Eh Ved from observing certain Torah Mitzvahs. For example, the very first mention of offering bread and wine was not Jewish. It was Spiritualist! Our Torah says that “Malki Zedek, the King of Peace [a Spiritualist] gave bread and wine [to Avram]. He was a Priest of the Most High Alm-ghty. [Malki Zedek] blessed [Avram] and [Malki Zedek] said, ‘Blessed be Avram unto G-d Alm-ghty who is Possessor of Heavens and earth.’ And [Malki Zedek] blessed G-d Alm-ghty for delivering [Avram's] enemies into his hand.” Genesis 14:18-19
Even though the circumstances are different we see that a non-Jew can offer bread and wine, bless their fellow man and bless G-d. On Shabbos we offer bread and wine. We bless our fellow man. We bless our children. We bless our Creator often through Shabbos. So as a way of example the Jew, the Eh Ved and the Spiritualist share certain elements all within Torah and tradition. That being the situation why should the Jew be unhappy when the former Eh Ved, descendants of the former Eh Ved and the Spiritualist reclaim observances and traditions of the past?
Chassidim, this is all part of the human desire to draw closer to our Creator. Now on the other hand there are hundreds of Torah Mitzvohs which are exclusively designated for B’nei Yisroel. Because we have had such an enormous inquiry regarding Shabbos Observance I have recorded a discussion on Shabbos Observance. The purpose of this discussion is to share what our sages teach about Shabbos observance and how this relates to the Jew, to the descendant of a Jew, to the Eh Ved and to the Spiritualist. This is an very interesting discussion. However I will have to charge $9.00 for the CD or plus a $4.00 shipping and handling charge. My intention is to make this an affordable blessing.
Classmates, I invite each of you to participate in this learning opportunity. Those who are interested please send a check or money order {US dollars} to:
Dr. Akiva G. Belk
POB 1075
Georgetown Colorado 80444-1075
USA
Wishing you the best!
Dr. Akiva G. Belk