The Hebrew Letter Resh in Mysticism – The Foremost Attribute

According to mysticism, the letter Resh symbolizes the attribute of wisdom, the attribute at the forefront (literally and metaphorically. The attribute of wisdom corresponds to the right hemisphere of the brain, being at the head of the ten attributes when counting the attribute of knowledge instead of the crown), and it represents the world of Emanation (while the crown attribute, standing above the ten attributes like a crown on a head, corresponds to the world of Adam Kadmon above the world of Emanation, akin to the tip of the letter Yod). Therefore, it holds the potential for leadership and headship.

This is hinted at in the verse "The beginning of wisdom is the fear of Hashem." Thus, the letter Resh is the wisdom attribute, the beginning of the attributes. See more on this in "Pardes Rimonim," "Sefer HaTemunah," and "Magen David."

Double Letters – Double and Soft Resh

In the Book of Creation, it is explained that the letter Resh is one of the seven double letters – Beged Kefret. This means that each includes two letters: a soft letter and a hard letter, which are two opposites: "Pattern of soft and hard, pattern of strong and weak, doubles which are transformations [opposites]." And it is explained about the letter Resh: "Opposite of seed, desolation."

Here is the language from the Book of Creation regarding the letter Resh: "He ruled with the letter Resh, and crowned it with a crown. He formed in it a planet in the world, the sixth day of creation, and the left nostril in the soul." The Raavad wrote in his commentary on the Book of Creation, that within this letter lies the talent of wisdom and speech, counsel and explanation. "And since it has a conduit from the side of strength, it has the power for strife. And all kinds of arts belong to it, for it is majesty. Its skills include drawing, embroidery, and writing. It unites enemies – either for peace from pride, or for war from fire. At times, it can reach confusion - from much heat and anger. It holds pleas and prayers, being like a cantor leading prayers for Israel. False reports may reach it from the transformations [opposite side of the letter Resh]. But the eternal of Israel will not lie or change." This is a summary. What is meant is that since the letter Resh is the root of the wisdom attribute, the foremost attribute, and it harbors leadership potential, it is the root of wise and considered speech necessary for a leader. Whether at the head of a country or an enterprise, or at the head of a family. However, the strength required in leadership can sometimes lead to disputes, to the point of decisions misguided by anger. This concept is hinted at by the letter Resh, related to the left nostril. The left signifies strength, and "nose" symbolizes anger, as in "the wrath of Hashem was kindled."

Therefore, "Opposite of seed, desolation" implies that the leader holds the power to sow and flourish, or to destroy his nation or family, turning it into a wilderness. The fundamental rule here is to adhere to the guiding principle of the Talmud to let "the left push away, and the right draw near." Meaning, strength should be done weakly, while kindness with strength. Incidentally, this is why the Creator embedded in most humans that their left hand, symbolizing strength, is weaker, while the right hand, symbolizing kindness, is stronger. This teaches about the divine way with us and how we should conduct ourselves with those under our dominion. The leader’s power can cause others to bring false reports out of narrow interests and personal motives for themselves. The leader must adhere to the ways of the Holy One, blessed be He, and seek the truth. As "the eternal of Israel does not lie or change."

The Letter Resh in Different Words – Examples and Explanations

The letter Resh comes from the word head, symbolizing the whole expanse. The letter Pe symbolizes opening. Therefore, the combination of Resh with Pe implies separating the whole and extensive.

Examples:

P.R.S. - Spreading and cutting.

P.R.D. - Separation.

P.R.T. - Partitioning into money and details.

P.R.K. - Disassembling a core into parts.

P.R.H. - Multiplying; one splits and multiplies.

P.R.S. - Gathered and rolled into a unit unfolds and opens.

P.R.SH. - The individual separates from the masses.

P.R.Q. - Dismantling the whole into pieces.

P.R.M. - Tearing the fabric.

P.R.TZ. - Opens the closed whole.

Whereas: R.F.A. - On the contrary: completes and connects the open and broken.

(The prominence and loftiness inherent in the letter Resh manifest in many words containing Resh. Examples are: height, majesty, vision).

The proper pronunciation of the letter Resh is a vibrating letter. It conveys the head and ruler, instilling awe around it. Words that carry this trembling awe either begin with Resh or incorporate it. Examples: thunder, noise, quake, tremble, wind, storm, hail, lightning, break, trample, shoot, horn, siren, whistle, slam, dissonance, chirp, rattle, terror, shout.

The letter Resh also expresses poverty and lowliness. Hence, doubling the letter creates the word: "Rar" - as in drool. Like: "His flesh wastes away." A language of descent again and again.

"Descend" - from high (Resh – head), to low (Dalet – poor.

"Only" – after the expansion signified by Resh, the letter Qoph appears, symbolizing end, and limits.

"Many" – from a root of abundance. Resh is a letter of expansion, and it meets B, a letter symbolizing division. Since some details side by side appear as an expansion, this leads to abundance.

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