The Letter Shin - Symbol of Deceit and Whistling

On the negative side, the letter of fracture, Shin, hints at deceit. As explained in the Talmud: "Shin, deceit. Tav, truth." The complete truth is perfection, while deceit fractures the full truth, showing only parts that serve to strengthen the deceit. Humans have the choice to use the fracture power of Shin for positive purposes such as peace and wholeness, or negatively—to create lies in the world.

The deceit power of Shin is hinted at by its many branches, more than any other letter. As explained in the Midrash "Letters of Rabbi Akiva": "Why does Shin have three branches above and no root below? Because it is the first letter of the word deceit. Deceit has words but no legs [many words but no base], and eventually, it doesn't last [it becomes clear that deceitful words are false and vanish]. This is likened to a tree with many branches and few roots. The wind uproots and overturns it."

The Talmud there further explains: "Why are the letters of deceit close while the letters of truth are far apart? Deceit is common, truth is rare. Why do the shapes of the letters Shin, Kuf, and Reish have no base, standing on one leg and easily fall? Whereas truth's letters are rectangular and stable? Truth stands strong and endures, but deceit ultimately falls."

Moreover, the three letters Kuf, Reish, Shin, which are close in order, form the word deceit in reverse: Shin, Kuf, Reish. The letters of truth are at the beginning (Aleph), middle (Mem), and end (Tav) of the alphabet [with all 27 letters including finals, Mem is precisely in the middle], indicating that deceit is reversed and partial, while truth encompasses everything and is whole.

Therefore, aside from the fracture letter (Shin) initiating deceit, the mimicry letter (Kuf) in the middle, and the poverty letter (Reish) at the end, these characteristics are reflected in both the words deceit and truth:

1. Deceit focuses on part of the real picture, while truth encompasses everything.
2. Deceit is reversed, and truth is straight.
3. Deceit is prevalent, and truth is rare.
4. Deceit stands on one leg and falls easily, while truth stands on two legs with a broad and solid base, as it is established and lasts forever.

See more about this in the letter Tav, the letter of truth.

One of the AMSh letters

The Book of Creation explains that the 22 letters divide into three mothers (from the word mothers), seven doubles (with a hard and soft form), and twelve simples. Further explained there: "Three mothers AMSh in the world. Air [created with Aleph], Water [created with Mem], Fire [created with Shin]." Thus the root of fire's existence and ability to change material is the letter Shin.

Further, it states: "Three, fire, water, and air. Fire rises [its nature to rise], water descends, and air makes a balancing law in between [as if blown in the middle]. An indication: fire carries water [turning it into vapor]. Mem is silent [pronounced - Mem with closed lips], Shin whistles [pronounced - Shin with clenched teeth], Aleph a balancing law in between." Further, "One [the light of the Creator] over three, three over seven, seven over twelve, all interconnected."

This is why Shin whistles, meaning it is pronounced with a whistle and has many sparks in its writing. It is the spiritual root of fire's presence in the world, changing material into ash and vapor, just as a tooth crushes and changes everything to material crumbs.

According to the secret

According to the secret doctrine, whistling Shin, the foundation of fire and power, is aligned with the sefirah of Binah – the upper sefirah among the line of strength sefiros on the left side, in the order of BiGHe (Binah, Gevurah, Hod).

Because Shin expresses power and judgments that limit the boundless flow of Chesed, during the world's creation, the Creator acted under one of His names – the name "Shaddai" specifically, to stop creation from expanding and spreading endlessly, setting its boundaries. As the Talmud states on the verse "I am El Shaddai" – "I said to My world, enough." The Shin of strength and D-Y letters acted to stop the universe's expansion.

The three yuds on top of Shin represent the three upper sefirot (Chochmah, Binah, Da'at). The descending vavs hint at the three patriarchs and the corresponding sefirot (Chesed, Gevurah, Tiferet). The curved bottom of Shin, resembling the letter Kaf (vessel) as a receptacle, is Malchut receiving flow from the three upper sefirot, signifying this world, governed by the flow from these sefirot, according to the guidance of the upper will, based on our actions.

Radbaz wrote in "Magen David": "Shin, this form is very awesome. Clothed in majesty and beauty, it cloaks superior garments and tremendous powers and mystical, sacred, and pure clarity, generations, and cycles, encompassed within one chariot's form, hidden and sealed."

Right Shin and Left Shin

When the dot is on the right, it's called Shin as in "Bereishit." When it's on the left, it's pronounced like Samekh, as in Israel.

Explanation: Right Shin whistles when pronounced, while the left is softer. Right is associated with kindness, left with strength. Kindness flows with force from Hashem's love for His creations, so the right Shin whistles more, while strength underwhelms. Therefore, the right strap of the head's tefillin is longer—to be a longer channel for flowing kindness to the wearer. This principle hints in nature where the right hand is generally stronger. The sages taught: "Always let the left reject, and the right draw near."

However, the left Shin, symbolizing strength and judgment, alludes to the "other side," hinting at the letter Samekh that closes and suffocates, blinding eyes from truth, as hinted by the name of the head of the other side's forces: Samael. The word "Satan" starts with a left Shin, as does a woman who strays called "Sotah" ("man whose wife goes astray"). Thus, many Ephraimites were killed when they were identified for not pronouncing right Shin, saying "Siv'bolet" instead of "Shibboleth."

Left Shin appears in "sararah," as the angel addressed Jacob post-defeat: "Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with Hashem and with men and have prevailed." One must take the strength of the left Shin and use it positively, struggling appropriately against forces hindering service to Hashem, as in "be bold as a leopard... and strong as a lion to do your Father’s will in heaven." Indeed, Jacob and his descendants, due to their strength in fulfilling Hashem’s will, are named Israel.

Israel

The Zohar explains that the Samael (full name Samael) is the head of the opposing side's forces, the prince of Esau, blinding people from knowing and remembering Divine existence, hence the name Sama-el, "blinding from seeing the Divine." This was the angel that wrestled with Jacob, eventually giving him the name Israel.

In contrast to Esau, who scorned life's purpose and spiritual work, Jacob and his descendants were named Israel, "straight with Hashem," as they are straight with Hashem, knowing Him and observing His commandments with love.

The name Israel also alludes to all the patriarchs and matriarchs:

I - Isaac, Jacob

Sh - Sarah

R - Rachel, Rebecca

A - Abraham

L - Leah

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