The Composition of the Letter Chet: 'Az' - Aleph Riding on Zayin

Here is a summary of the "Kli Yakar"'s explanation on the Torah, regarding the inauguration of the Tabernacle: "Since it was only on that particular day that Hashem appeared to them, and not on previous days, a reason was needed for why this day was different. Therefore, it is said 'And it was on the eighth day,' because it was the eighth day, this lent it greater holiness. For all numbers beginning with eight have priority in thought. The Midrash states that Moshe's praise was always in 'Az.' 'And since I came to speak in Your name' 'Then Moshe sang,' etc. Because 'Az' means Aleph (A) riding on Zayin (Z). And it signifies Hashem's dominance over all seven celestial bodies and all creations formed during the seven days of creation. Thus, on this day, Hashem's glory appeared to them, specifically because it was the eighth day. For this number is special unto Hashem. This is why the offering can only be accepted from the eighth day onwards, and why the circumcision is on the eighth day, akin to Shabbat on the seventh. Because the spiritual is similar to the physical.

Therefore, this eighth day took ten crowns, to indicate that it has aspects of the world to come. For in the future, they will see Hashem's glory eye to eye, and likewise, on that day it is said: "For today Hashem appeared to you."

And in the Zohar it is said on the verse 'Then you shall call and Hashem will answer': Az, the seven days of Sukkot and the eighth day of Atzeret. Az - the commandment of matzah and the seven days of Passover. Az - Sukkah and the seven parts of the commandment of the lulav. Through these commandments, one merits Hashem's answer."

The eight days of Chanukah - The few and weak who were loyal to the King of the world went to war with self-sacrifice against the numerous and strong Greeks, not out of a necessity to protect their physical bodies of Israel, but their spiritual world. This heroism beyond human nature led to a supernatural victory and the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days beyond nature.

In light of this, it is explained in the Talmud that the harps of the Temple, which the Levites played, had seven strings. But during the Messianic era, the days of spiritual perfection, they will have eight strings.

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The word 'Mishnah,' which is the Oral Torah, corresponds in its letters to the letters of the number hinting at spirituality absent of material - the number 'eight' (in defective writing). Since the Oral Torah expresses spirituality completely devoid of material, for it is forbidden to write it on physical material like parchment or paper, unlike the Written Torah which is allowed to be written. Instead, it must be remembered through recitation by heart, thereby writing it spiritually onto the spiritual soul. Indeed, the word 'Neshamah,' letters 'Shmoneh' (eight).

Even for the ascent of the soul of the deceased, the most helpful study is the study of the Mishnah, as is customary.

This connection between the soul and the eighth spiritual dimension is also evident in the naming of a person which is known to touch his soul, particularly on the day of the circumcision, the eighth day.

When the word 'Neshamah' is written vertically, the 'Nun' appears at the top, representing the fifty upper spiritual gates; and the 'Heh' appears at the end, which is the letter of this world as explained above. The letters in the middle are the letters 'Shem.' Indicating the person's name connects between the upper spiritual abundance and this world. The 'Nun' on top is fifty, while the 'Heh' below is five. Indicating the spiritual abundance descends to man like a funnel wide on top and narrow below. (As known in the structure of the four spiritual worlds A'biy'a and the world A"K above them (a total of five worlds), the fifth and lowest world, the world of Asiyah, is the lowest and smallest in relation to the other worlds that constitute its roots and from which it receives its abundance).

The letter Chet according to Kabbalah

According to the secret, the eighth letter Chet corresponds to the eighth sefirah, which is the sefirah of Hod, belonging to the line of the gevurah sefirot (the sefirot BGH. Binah, Gevurah, Hod). It is the source of the splendor bestowed on a person's face from his God, and he is a hero like a lion to fulfill the will of his Father in heaven. 

The Evil Inclination - As a Training Tool for Heroism

Indeed, the letter Chet which expresses the living person, and bestows splendor upon his physical appearance, hints to him that living in this world and contending with the desires and temptations of the world, he must activate his attribute of strength, in the sense of "Who is a hero? The one who conquers his inclination," and not be soft and easily tempted. Only then does he derive much benefit from the evil inclination (like our forefather Abraham who acquired the Cave of Machpelah from the "sons of Het," those hard shells, as explained in the words of the Ari Z"l). And here too, he is uplifted, builds, and shapes his soul, precisely through trials. Since the evil inclination serves as a spiritual training tool and effort for elevation and development, just as one uses a body-resisting tool and requires effort to train and strengthen one's physical muscles. But concerning the evil inclination, a person must be careful not to place himself in a trial so that he does not fail - as we pray: "Do not bring us into a trial nor into disgrace." Only use the trials that come naturally as a way of the world, for surely standing in them is sufficient to build and elevate.

The Meaning of the Eight Initial Letters in Sequence

The one Creator (A) created a creation (B) built (B) of parts (B) constituting two opposites (B): bestowing abundance, in the aspect of kindness (G). And receiving, in the aspect of poverty (D).

This activity (of division, giving, and receiving) led to the formation and appearance of the universe (H) in the aspect of 'birth' from the spiritual world above it (H). This process occurred over six days (V) during which the material world was created, limited by six ends (V) and containing a spiritual connection force that unifies its parts mercifully (V).

Besides the power of connection within the material, an active internal spirituality was created within it that causes movement (Z). It is the secret of the movement of electrons within the inanimate, the growth force within the vegetative, the life and movement within the living, the speech of the speaking, the initiative (Z), the movement (Z), and the struggle (Z) in the world.

In the living person was added the soul of life (Chet) giving him the power of choice (Chet) between good and bad actions, between truth and falsehood, based on which the movement power within him will operate. It is also the one that bestows charm (Chet) on his face.

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Ultimately, the letter Chet expresses the essence of life and the challenges faced by a person living in a world filled with desires, the material world. This struggle has the power to elevate a person to spiritual heights beyond nature, to the extent that a righteous person decrees and Hashem fulfills, Hashem decrees a decree and cancels it due to the will of His beloved righteous one. Since he chooses to rule his high spiritual soul over the physical body's nature and desires, directing it according to his Creator's will, he merits these supernatural degrees. 

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