GEMATRIA

Gematria in The Torah

The Torah, Judaism's holy book, is replete with instances of Gematria. One famous example is found in the very first verse of the Book of Genesis. "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" consists of seven Hebrew words with a total Gematria value of 2701, which is a triangular number (the sum of all integers up to 73). This numerical arrangement is no coincidence, instead, it alludes to a deep-seated order and intentional design underlying the scriptures.

Another well-known example can be seen in Genesis 14:14, where Abraham is said to have trained 318 men. The term "Eliezer," Abraham's servant, also has the Gematria value of 318, indicating that perhaps it was only Eliezer who was trained, symbolizing the unity and synergy between Abraham and his loyal servant.

As an exercise, readers can select a verse from the Torah, calculate the Gematria value of various words and phrases, and explore the possible interconnections and symbolic meanings.

Mystical and Kabbalistic Aspects of Gematria

The practice of Gematria is deeply intertwined with Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism. Kabbalists use Gematria to unveil the hidden structures of existence and the divine truths of the cosmos.

One significant concept in Kabbalah is the Tree of Life, a diagrammatic representation of how the divine energy flows into our realm. The Tree of Life is composed of ten spheres, known as "Sefirot," each associated with a specific number and attribute of God.

As an exercise, consider studying the names of the ten Sefirot and their numerical values. Meditate upon these numbers and the divine attributes they represent. For instance, "Chesed" (חסד), meaning kindness or love, is associated with the number 4 and is located on the right side of the Tree of Life. Meditate on the value of 4 and how it relates to the concept of divine love and benevolence.