The Numerical Value of the Letter Chet: The Eighth Day

The numerical value of the letter Chet is eight. This number hints at the spiritual world above nature. In contrast, the letter Zayin, whose value is seven, hints at the spirituality within the natural world, representing the seventh and inner dimension upon which all six sides of matter (Vav) depend and are driven.

The Numerical Order of the Letters and Their Geometric Structure

The letters of the Holy Language, created by the supreme wisdom, not only hold significant meaning and encipher the universe and existence, but their order is also necessary, step by step, according to the inner meaning of each one. Moreover, this order is expressed in the numerical value of each letter in the units, as well as in the tens and hundreds. Now, as we reach the letter symbolizing the spirituality above nature, the letter Chet, we can examine the significance of the sequence of letters thus far, in terms of their numerical value and geometric structurecreated by their numbers. To obtain the complete structure in the order of units up to number ten, we will add here the meaning of the next two letters up to the letter Yud, with which the world to come was created:

Aleph - the absolute one

Bet - created opposites

Gimel – those coming into contact through reciprocity, which is considered the third line connecting the two separate entities and creating a complete and strong structure in the form of a triangle, as it is written: "A threefold cord is not quickly broken."

Gimel Dalet – Gimel, the one who gives. Dalet, the one who receives. The root of Dalet, the poor receiver, is the low material world constantly receiving illumination for its existence, and its four directions represent it.

He - the structure of the world in its four directions, now added with a point at its center, like a fetus in its mother's womb. It is the force of coming into action imprinted in the nature of the compensating opposites, to create and bring forth creatures like them.

Vav – the unifying force connecting the particles of matter, limited to six sides like a cube. It is hinted at in the inner line resembling a Vav within the letter He, but now it stands alone in its full glory (that is, the letter He whose value is five includes four lines around it, representing the four directions of the world, hinting at the womb chamber, while the inner line, in the form of a point, is the created fetus point. Now, by the power of the unifying letter, the letter Vav, the cells that divided and multiplied by the power of the previous letters unite and a complete human is created. Thus, every detail in the world is created and built. Therefore, in writing the letter He, a small and inverted Vav stands within it, as an upside-down fetus in its mother’s womb, and in the next stage, in the letter Vav, it is already large, standing upright and erect, symbolizing a person living in the world).

Zayin – the seventh dimension within the material body limited to six sides. This seventh dimension is the unseen spirituality in matter, initiating and motivating it as an internal engine. It is the secret of the inner space in the Star of David, created by two opposing triangles that unite, creating six triangular spaces from six sides, held in the inner hexagonal structure, the seventh space.

Chet – the spiritual line above nature, allowing for miracles and changes to nature in the world, such as the miracles in the Holy Temple. It is the line above the seventh dimension hinted at in the Star of David in the spirit of the scripture: "For higher than high watches over." The letter Chet, hinting at this eighth line, is the root of the human soul, similar to its creator in the ability to choose in its hand, and in this, it is above nature.

Tet – the line of supernatural leadership, descending to the natural world to act in it according to the actions of humankind, rewarding the righteous with good and the wicked with evil as his own deeds, as it is written: "Your wickedness will discipline you." The evil a person does returns to him and disciplines him. This reward acts with great strength to the point of changing the laws of nature when necessary (and it is more wondrous and sublime than a regular miracle done following the supreme will, such as the miracles done in the Holy Temple. Here, power is given to humans to act according to their deeds to change the nature of creation positively or negatively).

Yud – it is the life of the world to come, created with the letter Yud, whose number is ten. The letter symbolizes the perfection of man in its number and creates a complete structure by adding a line to the previous structure, a structure that is considered the head of a man above the Star of David, considered the body and the neck. Also, in its shape, the letter Yud looks like a head, similar to the letter Resh, meaning head. (From now on, the ten sefirot are completed, the three first ones above the seven lower ones, as explained in the chapter on the structure of the sefirot).

Indeed, unlike the number seven, which is common and widespread in the Torah (as detailed above in the letter Zayin), the number eight appears only a few times: the circumcision covenant - on the eighth day of birth; the eight threads of the tzitzit; the eighth day of Shemini Atzeret - after the seven days of Sukkot; the eighth day after the seven days of the dedication of the Mishkan; and the eight days of Chanukah.

Because these do not only involve the sanctification of material but also express the supernatural.

Circumcision: A holy covenant between man and Hashem, in which he enters the supernatural system in which the people of Israel live and are conducted, due to their closeness to the Creator. As it is written: "And I separated you from the peoples, to be for Me."

The eight threads of the tzitzit: Create a supernatural protection for the person who wears a garment with tzitzit. On the other hand, if he does not initiate wearing a garment with tzitzit - during times of wrath, that is, when the attribute of justice is stretched, he is penalized for missing the mitzvah. As told in the Talmud, an angel revealed to Rabbi Katina the higher management of this.

Shemini Atzeret: After the judgment a person undergoes on Rosh Hashanah, and after the possibility given to correct during the Ten Days of Repentance, comes the time of judgment sealing on Yom Kippur at the Ne'ilah hour. But even after the sealing of judgment, Hashem, in His mercy, granted Israel the seven days of Sukkot in which the Jew draws upon himself the illumination of kindnesses to soften and sweeten the judgments by dwelling in the "shade of faith," which is the sukkah, and even cancels the accusers over him by taking the four species. And now, at the end of these sublime days, the Jew transitions to the result, which is the supernatural leadership with him, during Shemini Atzeret.

The eighth day of the dedication of the Tabernacle: On this day, Hashem's glory was first seen in the Tabernacle before all of Israel. As it is written: "And it came to pass on the eighth day, Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel... And the glory of Hashem appeared to all the people. And fire came out from before Hashem, and consumed the burnt offering and the fats on the altar. And all the people saw it, and they shouted and fell on their faces."

To purchase the book "The Code" by Rabbi Zamir Cohen, visit Hidabroot Shops.