The Letter Lamed: A Pursuit of Peace and Wisdom

The one Creator (Aleph) created a creation (Bet) built (Bet) from parts (Bet) that form two opposites (Bet); it bestows abundance, as a Giver (Gimel), and receives, as one who is poor (Dalet).

This activity (of dividing, giving, and receiving) led to the formation and appearance of the universe (Hei) as a 'birth' (Hei) from the spiritual world above. This process took place over six days (Vav), during which the physical world was created, limited by six dimensions (Vav) and containing a spiritual bond that unites its parts with mercy (Vav).

Besides the bond in matter, an active inner spirituality causing movement (Zayin) was created within. It is the secret of electron movement in the inanimate, the growth force in the plant, life, and movement in the living, speech in man, initiative (Zayin), movement (Zayin), and struggle (Zayin) in the world.

Humans were granted a living soul (Chet) that gives them the ability to choose (Chet) between good and evil, truth and falsehood, determining through their choice how the body will move and act. It also casts grace (Chet) and expression on the face of the living person.

Depending on the choice (Chet) of the person, good (Tet) will return (Tet) to them for a good deed, and evil for evil. Nevertheless, even this evil is for their good (Tet), to cleanse and purify them from the stain of their sin. For nothing is ever lost. Everything is eternal (Tet); unless a person repents, then by Hashem's grace and goodness (Tet), the evil deed is erased, despite this erasure contradicting the nature of creation.

One who rightly stands within the trials of this world, as hinted by the arrangement of the first nine letters, attains the life of the world to come hinted at by the letter Yud. When the balance scale (Kaf) of justice tilts in their favor, their body will rebuild from a small bone until it receives its original shape (Kaf), will be raised to life, and will receive great spiritual and physical abundance as hinted by the letter Final Kaf, and to sovereignty (Lamed), and great wisdom (Lamed), to see afar and predict the future (Lamed) while residing in the light saved by Hashem for the righteous.

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In summary, the letter Lamed is the root of the aspiration to reach a specific spiritual or material goal, primarily wisdom and study. Thus, it also expresses the ability to measure, which is also learning the measure of distance from the target.

Through the secret of the illuminating letter of study, the letter Lamed, a person merits to study the Torah, which helps them overcome their evil inclination. Thus, they ascend to greatness as hinted by the height of the letter Lamed, becoming like a king sitting on the royal throne, until they can reach the level of Divine inspiration and foresee the distance.

The Letter Lamed in a Person's Name

In light of the above, when the letter Lamed appears in a person's name, especially if it is at the beginning, they receive a great aspiration to learn and know, a love for wisdom, and an openness to accepting logical matters. The height and royal character of the letter Lamed grant them special grace, a tendency for outward beauty, and a perfect appearance; sometimes, they may even look down upon others. However, they know how to fit in and live pleasantly and politely with others. They are talented in management, being like a king at the top, making decisions alone even if they consulted extensively beforehand, being doubtful and confused. This royal character can make them stubborn, standing their ground and having difficulty accepting another opinion. On the other hand, their aspiration for a perfect appearance and completeness in every field is reflected in their aspirations for peace and their special talent for making peace between two quarrelling parties.

Due to their curiosity, such a person may invest a lot of precious time in studies that are of no use; their royal nature may draw them toward materialistic and sensual beauty. However, they are capable of achieving greatness in the wisdom of the Torah and any correct wisdom. On one hand, they will be gracious, love, and pursue peace with great self-sacrifice, yet on the other, they may find themselves obstinate - even to the repugnance of others - despite their noble and gentle nature in many areas.

Therefore, they must invest their energy in Torah studies that will benefit them in this world and the next, also helping them to observe and internalize that all matters of materiality and the instincts of this world are but vanity, and all external glitter that encases them is nothing but the deception of the evil inclination that entices and seduces.

Their aspiration for a perfect appearance should be channeled into an aspiration for spiritual perfection through refining character traits, guarding the eyes and thoughts, and studying the Torah thoroughly and meticulously until they become a true Torah scholar. (In a woman, until she understands and is familiar with all the laws and teachings of the Torah and moral teachings she needs to know). Without this, they will never attain spiritual fulfillment and joy in life, living only in a constant state of longing and inner yearning, not knowing for what they strive and crave. This could lead them to commit severe transgressions in a desire to calm their internal burning, but afterward, they will be even sadder and more pained, as they believe in one path, yet live another. However, work on their character traits and Torah study will bring them to noble humility and the correct balance between a blessed royal conduct and flexibility with their surroundings. Then they will feel fulfillment and self-satisfaction, happiness and joy, recognizing the deceit of material desires of the world, knowing that they live according to the truth.

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