The Letter 'Peh' – Overcoming Temptations

According to Kabbalah, the dagesh and soft 'Peh' hint at the Sefirot of Tiferet and Malchut, as expressed in the phrase: "Peh el Peh I speak to him." Tiferet ends with Foundation, while the reception of prophecy signifies Malchut's acceptance from the influencing Foundation. This is the essence of 'Peh' to 'Peh.' The 'Yod' inside 'Peh' hints at the Foundation in Malchut, the line of light descending into the realm of contraction, from which the four worlds of Atzilut, Beriah, Yetzirah, and Asiyah were created, culminating in the physical universe. And this is enough.

The Letter 'Peh' Combining with Other Letters

Here are a few examples of a unique phenomenon in the Holy Language, where each letter has a fixed meaning according to its nature. Therefore, when one letter joins another, a new meaning emerges that includes both letters' essences. Consequently, there must be a common meaning within all the words containing those letters (what is the connection, for instance, between 'Peleh', 'Pil', and 'Nafil'?). This phenomenon, unparalleled in any language developed after the confusion of tongues at the Tower of Babel, may be immediately understood by those who grasp the essence of letters, while others must delve deeply into the letters' roots to grasp why they appear in certain words. The appearance of these two letters in every word in the Holy Language necessitates that they jointly contribute to the essential new meaning of that word.

The letter Peh (opening and breaking through) combined with the letter Lamed (height) represents: Breaking through and expanding upwards. Examples are 'Peleh', 'Pil', 'Nafil' (giant).

The letter Peh (opening and breaking through) combined with the letter Shin (grinding and change) represents: Breaking through and spreading horizontally. As in "Pasah Hanega", "Ufashu Parashaiv", "Pishon".

The letter Peh (opening and breaking through) combined with the letter Daled (protrusion) or the letter Kof (sharp protrusion) represents: A cut opening or separation. Examples include: breaking, unloading, separation, breach, loss.

The letter Peh (opening and breaking through) paired with the letter Tzadi (whole) represents: Opening the whole. Such as: cracking, explosion, splitting, breakthrough.

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In summary, the letter 'Peh' is the root of all forms of open abilities that exist, both in nature and in human actions and deeds.

Positively, one can act through the illumination of the letter 'Peh' to open one's mouth in words of Torah and wisdom, offering good advice; to open their wallet—to give and donate; and to forge a new spiritual path upward.

On the negative side, the letter 'Peh' expresses a negative entrance as indicated in the phrase "Sin crouches at the door." It symbolizes the strong inclination and drive to break boundaries and barriers, using speech for negative purposes such as gossip, slander, profanity, and other forbidden discussions.

The Significance of the First Seventeen Letters in Sequence

Continuing the explanation of the order of letters from Aleph to Yod, now we contemplate the continuation from Yod to Samech:

Whoever navigates the tribulations of this world properly, as hinted by the order of the first nine letters, merits eternal life as signified by the letter Yod. When the Cup (Kaf) of Justice tips in his favor, his body is renewed from a single small bone until it regains its original (Kaf) form and rises again to life, earning abundant spiritual and physical blessings as coded by the letter Kaf. He achieves kingship (Lamed), great wisdom (Lamed), foresight (Lamed), by dwelling in the light reserved by Hashem for the righteous. From here, he ascends and progresses (Mem) to a higher spiritual level, characterized by annulment (Nun) and eternal merging (Nun') of the soul (Nun') with the endless light. This is the surrounding light (Samech) that envelops and shelters with love, rewarding his efforts. He is indulged in comprehending the Creator's profound mysteries and the secrets of His Torah, aligned with the verse "Eye has not seen God besides You." From here he is further elevated, and a new (Peh) opening is revealed to ascend from one level to another.

The Letter 'Peh' in the Meaning of the First Eight Letters in the Tens Series

Aside from the basic and straightforward continuous meaning of the letters discussed earlier, those in the tens series also form an independent meaning guiding a person in this world, continuing the guidance until Yod. Unlike the units which dealt with general service to Hashem, the tens series is dedicated to the essence of Torah study and the virtues attained through proper engagement in it:

By laboring spiritually (Yod) and using the creative power of his intellect to process, innovate, and craft form (Kaf) in the Torah he studies (Lamed), he uncovers its secrets (Mem), and it invigorates him with life and freshness like water (Mem). He is elevated to be humble (Nun) and faithful (Nun), protected and safeguarded (Samech) from all pain and harm, seeing (Ayin) the hidden, and achieving strength (Peh) and new breakthroughs (Peh) in his spiritual work.

The Letter 'Peh' in a Person's Name

Therefore, when the letter 'Peh' appears in a person’s name, especially at the beginning, he receives through its three spiritual channels (shape, number, pronunciation) the ability to break through even in situations that seem blocked and hard. On one hand, he is capable of overcoming strong carnal temptations, controlling his mouth and speech tendencies, and conversing only in permissible, good, and desirable matters. He can easily surprise those around him with impressive successes in areas once deemed impassable for him, particularly in the spiritual sphere of acquiring wisdom in general, and Torah study and character refinement in particular; regularly succeeding in family harmony and interpersonal relationships, from impressive spiritual effort. His opening power may also manifest in generosity, giving, and charity to all in need.

However, on the flip side, the opening and breakthrough power in him may drive him to desire disproportionate expanses and lack of boundaries, to breach fences, emphasize externality, and engage in unnecessary and even negative, harmful speech.

The choice is his whether to use his abilities for good or otherwise. If he chooses the good path, then the channel of abundance within the 'Peh' in his name will work in him, making him favored in the eyes of those who see him. He will always be dear and beloved to all acquaintances, even if his physical appearance is not aesthetically pleasing. On the contrary, choosing a negative path will result in his rejection even by his close relations, appearing abhorrent even if he is physically attractive.

Since the opening and breakthrough tendency in him are strong, as the verse states "Sin couches at the door, and its desire is for you," to fulfill "but you must master it," he must persist in Torah study and reading ethical books, as the sages said: "If this despicable one [the evil inclination] strikes you, draw it to the study hall. If it is a rock, it will melt; if iron, it will shatter."

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