The Secret of the Hebrew Letter 'Samech' through Torah and Kabbalah

The name of the letter 'Samech' is derived from the word for support or reliance. It doesn't only refer to physical support but also the assistance one provides to others, like financial aid to those in need. In the Talmud, 'Samech' is explained as 'supporting the poor,' emphasizing charitable giving and mutual support between interconnected parts of a whole.

According to this idea, any two parts making up one system are 'Sameched' to each other, as each part supports the other. This isn't a random meeting of two entities but rather an essential cooperation where each part is meaningless without the other, embodying total reliance.

Thus, the letter 'Samech' symbolizes a closed system of interrelated parts working in harmony. The Talmud's second interpretation ties 'Samech' with 'Simanin' or signs, which help interconnect Torah's teachings through mnemonic devices, making everything more memorable and coherent.

The first use of 'Samech' in the Torah is the word "Surround." Surrounding something separates it, defining it as a standalone entity—its unity indicating all parts working together seamlessly.

The 'Samech' can also indicate the removal of parts not functioning cooperatively within a system.

The shape of 'Samech' is a closed circle, perfectly reflecting its meaning according to the written Torah.

The placement of 'Samech' after the letter 'Nun' is significant since 'Nun' represents perseverance, which is vital in completing the circular system that allows a person to reconnect with their essence.

The numerical value of 'Samech' is sixty, representing a perfect unity, as it's the product of six, signifying connection. This embodies 'Samech' as a closed system where all parts operate as one. 'Vav' represents the initial connection, while 'Samech' is the comprehensive unity of all parts.

This idea is evident in the Jewish tradition, where completeness is often depicted by sixty interconnected segments, such as the Israelites in the wilderness, united as one heart with sixty ten thousands, and references to sixty ten thousands of letters in the Torah.

The letter 'Samech' implies a closed system, mirrored in the word 'Seder,' representing an organized structure where each part is in place relative to the others.

The physical embodiment of 'Samech,' representing a closed space, arises in the term 'Has,' meaning closure for protection, forming words like shelter, obstacle, and kindness.

Likewise, 'Kes' (covering) also derives from this principle, leading to words such as covering, damming, and concealing, with 'Kasel' for fat covering the heart, hence 'Fool,' whose heart is covered.

The terms 'Segar,' 'Satam,' 'Mastir,' and 'Sod' stem from this root idea.

Conversely, the root 'Sal' denotes the removal of excess parts, seen in words like pave, clear, and refuse, deriving the term idol from removing waste.

By inversion, 'Samech' also suggests deviation from a system, expressed in words like deviate, rebel, and prohibited, meaning a restriction preventing deviation—also leading to bindings and afflictions that curb straying into the forbidden.