The Letter 'N' – Preserving the Dignity of Women

The letter 'N' is one of the seven royal letters adorned with a crown in the books of Divine scripture. These are the letters: Shin, Ayin, Tzadi, Nun, Zayin, Ayin, Gimmel. In this manner, a trustworthy and humble individual is beloved and admired by all who know them. People eagerly carry out their wishes, as if he were a king crowned with royal majesty. Therefore, the bent 'Nun' symbolizes faithfulness and humility in this world; much more so does the final 'Nun', which hints at the end of days when Hashem will elevate the humble as a king in glory.

Uses of the Letter 'N'

Since 'Nun' signifies constancy and eternity, especially the final, upright, and eternal 'Nun', when a temporary state becomes permanent, the final 'Nun' is added at the end of that word. For example, one who speaks lies is called a 'liar', and a consistent liar is called a 'liarkan'. Similarly, a 'mocker', 'scholar', 'rememberer', etc., to indicate these traits are permanent.

When many people unite, their unity grants them strength, allowing them to overcome enemies and to attain spiritual eternity marked by unity. Thus, any singular term starting with an 'A', for example: I will go (I'll), comes to 'N' in plural collective usage: We will go (We'll), etc.

Thus, since 'N' hints at femininity, it changes singular feminine language to plural, combined with its counterpart, the feminine 'H'. Such as in: the women went, drew (water), filled, etc.

Due to the feminine delicacy of 'N', it appears in many words with fine attributes and a touch of spirituality, such as 'cloud' formed from 'water', turning into vapor, more refined and spiritual. Similarly, 'N' appears in the word for 'princes', referring to clouds as well as leaders of the community, like "Princes of Israel".

Numerical Value

The numerical value of 'N' is fifty, representing the high and complete number of gates of understanding. As the Talmud explains: "Fifty gates of understanding were created in the world. All given to Moses, except one, as it says: 'You made him only a little lower than Hashem.'" The gates of holiness are also fifty. Thus, the Torah was given on the fiftieth day after leaving Egypt, following forty-nine days of exiting impurity gates in Egypt to enter corresponding gates of holiness.

Human attainment of the highest level possible in understanding and holiness depends entirely on humility and fidelity, which the letter 'N' represents. Therefore, Moses, the faithful shepherd, the humblest of all men, attained the peak of forty-nine gates.

It has been clarified that the delicate 'H' with a numerical value of five, a unit, transforms singular masculine language into singular feminine; whereas the delicate 'N', with a value of fifty, a tens digit, converts plural masculine to plural feminine.

The potency of 'H' to effect pregnancy and birth, as detailed in the section on the 'H', parallels the power of 'N'. But 'H', a unit, is the root of femininity and fertility, functioning as a single force, while 'N', its continuation, acts as a mass force, hence fish in masses called "Nooni", meaning "offspring".

According to the letter "Otiot d'Rabbi Akiva", the soul was created with 'N', with the letter ‘H’ representing the creation of the physical body. Thus, 'N', with a value of fifty, is the letter of the soul's creation, which merges both aspects in mankind, as in: "Hashem formed the human from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life."

Equally, all that exists materially is perceived through the five (H) physical senses: smell, taste, sight, hearing, and touch. Correspondingly, the spiritual soul is composed of five (H) parts: soul, spirit, breath, life, and singularity. In the soul created with 'N', each of the five parts comprises ten holy spheres, totaling fifty, equivalent to 'N'.

The Letter 'N' in Secret Teachings

According to mysticism, 'N' alludes to the sphere of kingdom, an aspect of femininity, the tenth and final sphere. Each of the four worlds in Kabbalah consists of ten spheres, each derived from the world above, with its highest crown sphere aligned with the lower world's kingdom sphere, symbolizing its birth.

Therefore, 'N' possesses potential for fertility, akin to 'H'. As cited in "The Orchard of Rimonim": "Nun symbolizes increase, as it speaks of 'their children together', indicating abundance, proliferation, creation in the world, through kingdom receiving from 'N', granting so much to its young. It is written: 'She arises while it is still night, providing sustenance for her house.'"

The Respect for Women

The Talmud states: "A man should always be careful regarding his wife's respect, as there is no blessing in a man's house but for the sake of his wife, as it says: 'And he was good to Abraham for her sake.' As Rava taught the people of his city, 'Honor your wives and thus become wealthy.'" This idea is expanded in the Zohar, teaching that respecting one's wife brings significant blessings and protection because womanhood originates in the sphere of kingdom, a source of blessing, described as the holy presence. When honoring her, avoiding inappropriate words or behavior, using words of praise, listening attentively and respectfully, providing dignified clothing and jewelry, one honors her spiritual root in the kingdom sphere, thus achieving monetary blessings, stemming from the feminine 'N' bearing fruit and fortune.

Curved 'N' – Humility and Downfall

Against the low spirit and positive humility symbolized by 'N', it also signifies, negatively, downfall. As expressed in Rabbi Akiva's teachings: "Nun, for what reason does it move backwards towards Mem? Because it seems as one falling, pleading with the king to raise it. As it says, 'She has fallen, never to rise, Virgin Israel...' And it is written: 'On that day I will raise the fallen tabernacle of David.'

The Talmud comments: Rabbi Yochanan asks why 'Nun' isn't in Psalm Ashrei? It contains Israel's downfall, as it says, 'Fallen, never to rise again...'

Western Sages reconcile: She has fallen, not to fall again. Rise, Virgin Israel!

Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak adds: Even then, King David supports through the Holy Spirit, as in: 'Hashem upholds all who fall'.

Thus, negatively, the 'N' shape resembles a fallen person, and its number, fifty, correlates to the fifty faints gates of impurity one must avoid. Hence, 'N' begins the word for snake, symbolizing evil inclination, the primordial snake.

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