The Letter 'Shin' - A Remarkable Spiritual Ascent

The letter Shin expresses the power of change – especially rapid change. Therefore:

Fire - changes the state of the material being burned. Likewise, words related to fire: flame, heatwave, sulfur, boil.

Breaking - is changing what is existing.

Song - the sounds of words spoken with variations of ascent and descent, creating a melody.

Rod - is the stick that strikes and breaks.

Satan - is the evil inclination when it takes on the role of the destroyer, punishing the sinner, cleansing, refining, changing his state, and bringing him onto the right path.

Sending - is changing the place of the object being sent.

Tooth - from the word change. Since it grinds and alters the food.

Year – a cycle of days causing a change in date ('old' from the word change of year).

Sleep – changing from a person’s normal functional state.

Two – fundamentally, a cell's change of shape leads to its division into two.

'Wicked', 'Poor', 'Bad'

A person who was wealthy and is impoverished is called "poor." That is, he was at the top, in a high status (R'), and was broken (Sh'). A "wicked" person is someone who sees only himself on top (R'), while the eye of his intellect (A') is pushed to the end and acts negatively in pursuit of carnal desires (A') that drive the desire to sin (unlike an "awake" person whose intellectual vision (A') stands at the top (R') and guides his actions with clear insight). If he adds to his wickedness the ability to break (Sh') and cause harm, then he is a "wicked" person. 'Poor (spiritually) – bad.'

However, from a deeper perspective, the letter Shin found in the word "holiness" which is the root of the power of change and spiritual elevation, is also found in the word "wicked." The Maggid of Mezeritch explained: "The word 'wicked' hints at holiness swallowed in the shell. The Shin is the secret of holiness swallowed between the letters 'bad.'" This means, even in a "wicked" person, there exists a spark of holiness that is simply captive between the two inclinations hinted at by the letters R' and A': the inclination of pride (R') and the negative outlook (A'). Yet, if that spark of holiness would ignite with the secret power of the fire in the letter Shin, it could overpower these two inclinations and redirect them to a positive path by strengthening his heart (R') in the ways of Hashem and not being ashamed of those who mock his service of Hashem. He would use the power of vision (A') to study Torah and supervise his actions. Henceforth, instead of being "bad," he would be "awake," examining his actions and ways. Thus, the spark of holiness would ignite (Sh') and change (Sh') for the good until it becomes a great flame, and the wicked person would become righteous. Then the letter of holiness Shin, which was captive in the word "bad," would now freely move into the newly created word "awake," and this person will henceforth be considered "ten," representing completeness and wealth.

The Doubling of the Letter Shin

Since the letter Shin contains the power of division and breaking, doubling the letter Shin expresses multiple and various divisions and breakings. This is the explanation of the word "six." Multiplicity (2) plus multiplicity plus multiplicity. Indeed, the word "six" appears in writing like rays of light and flames of fire. The number of these rays of light, each shaped like a vav, is exactly six. Amazingly, this word is composed of two letter Shins, with three vavs diverging from each one, and the doubling of the letter signifies: three times two = six.

The number two expresses the basic division of one, while the number three is a number containing divisions into many parts beyond the simple division into two. Therefore, the number three and the number six are the only numbers in the holy language containing twice the letter Shin. There is much more to be said about this.

Thus, the doubling of the letter Shin expresses great division, like many rays of light. Therefore, the burning sun that sends rays of light to the world contains the letters "six." For the same reason, a linen fabric prominent in its whiteness is called "six," like "garments of six." Also, "marble," which is a white shining stone. Likewise "rejoice," an old person full of wisdom whose majestic face radiates and shines, especially if his face is adorned with a white bearded old man. Even the word "rejoices" in the left Shin like "As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your Hashem rejoice over you," expresses the outburst of feelings radiating and bursting forth from a burning inner joy.

Letters 'six' appear in words expressing division even when not related to radiance and illumination. For example, the word "root," named after sending splitting branches. Also: "chain," composed of split links. And: "rose," because its petals are split and spread, and in fact, all varieties of the lily family are named after the "white lily" whose number of petals is six. However, the rose to some extent also glows as it shines, and so do chains of gold or copper mentioned in the verses.

The Meaning of the Twenty-One Continuous Letters

Continuing the explanation of the meaning of the sequence of letters from Alef to Yod, as brought above in the letter Yod, let us now consider the continuation from the letter Yod to the letter Resh:

He who withstands the trials of this world according to what is hinted at by the order of the first nine letters, merits the life of the world to come as hinted at in the letter Yod, and now, the scales of justice (Kaf) will tilt in his favor. He will receive abundant blessings in the secret of the open letter Kaf, and royalty (Lamed), and foresee the future (Lamed), and move (Mem) to a higher level, whose essence is self-nullification (Nun) and the integration of the soul (Nun) with the Infinite Light. It is the all-encompassing light (Samech) that envelops (Samech) with Love, and it is with him as a recompense to his mother. He then enjoys understanding the depths (Ayin) of the Creator's mysteries and the secrets of His Torah, as written "No eye has seen it, Hashem, besides You." From here, he rises further, and a new doorway (Peh) opens for him to ascend from level to level, until he is called a righteous person (Tzadi) the foundation of the world, and then ascends to the peak, meriting to be called holy (Kuf). Then he comes to his reward and becomes the head (Resh), and thus changes (Shin) from a mere human being to the perfection (Shin) that belongs to a son of man, and is called a man of Hashem.

The Meaning of the Eleven Letters in the Series of Tens and Hundreds

Aside from the continuous meaning of the letters brought above, which is the simple and basic of many, the letters in the series of tens also join to an independent meaning that provides guidance to a person in life in this world, as a continuation of the guidance up to the letter Yod. However, while the letters in the series of units dealt with the general service of Hashem, the series of tens is dedicated to the very study of the Torah and the virtues the person gains by engaging in it properly:

When the spiritual (Yod) person gives form (Kaf) and shapes his soul into a vessel to receive divine delight by (Lamed) learning Torah, he reveals (Mem) its secrets, and it gives him life and freshness like water (Mem) that gives life and refreshes, and he becomes humble and faithful (Nun), and guarded and protected (Samech) from all distress and harm, and sees (Ayin) hidden things, and reaches the level of strengths (Peh) and breakthrough (Peh) high and new paths in his spiritual work, until he is called a righteous person (Tzadi) the foundation of the world, and ascends to the peak, meriting to be called holy (Kuf). Then he comes to his reward and becomes the head (Resh), and thus changes (Shin) from a mere human being to the perfection (Shin) that belongs to a son of man, and is called a man of Hashem.

The Letter Shin in a Person's Name

Therefore, when the letter Shin is in a person's name, especially if it is at the beginning of his name, he receives through it flexibility and the ability to make quick changes while achieving a remarkable spiritual ascent. The heat inherent in the letter Shin brings him enthusiasm, courage, practicality, and energetic activity. For this reason, emotion and empathy hold an esteemed place for him. But precisely because of this, he must be very careful of various inclinations and temptations, which excite him and seem to show him that by attaining them, his life will be good and delightful – while on the contrary, pursuing them will only disappoint him, for they are nothing but deception.

This person can easily be a beloved individual, attracting a great deal of attention; full of joy of life, honest and true. But he must beware of excessive stubbornness, gossip, and harming others.

The property of belonging and control inherent in the letter Shin can draw him to excessive possessiveness, but on the other hand, through this trait, he can create a wonderful atmosphere around him, which will cause all his acquaintances to love to gratify him by fulfilling his will and rejoicing in his joy.

If only this person would wisely direct to good the special strengths and qualities he has received, he would swiftly ascend to heights both physically and mainly spiritually, in the aspect of flames of fire leaping upwards and controlling matter.

However, to be properly guided, he must adhere to the study of the holy Torah, which is the instruction book of the Creator; through its study, he can enlighten his soul and elevate it and, through it, train himself to meticulously observe commandments properly. Thus, he will employ his special qualities – his warmth and emotion, his straight truthfulness, and his ability to change – to be a tremendous lever to elevate him to the peak he is capable of reaching.

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