A fusion of language and spirituality, rich symbolism, and numerical power, Hebrew letters are rooted in Judaism’s ancient origins. Each character serves as a bridge to Divine wisdom and cultural heritage. Their deep meanings go beyond mere communication, unlocking profound connections to the sacred, the mystical, and the eternal.

The Definition of “Culture”

Culture has been defined in many ways, but it is often seen as a collection of talents, habits, knowledge, thoughts, judgment, and instincts. When these traits align with logical and systematic principles, they contribute to human development. Culture also sets humans apart from other animals. As members of society, individuals have a responsibility to preserve this heritage for its continuity and survival.

The Spiritual Role of Language in Judaism

Within societies, language and writing are fundamental components of culture. In Judaism, language has always held a spiritual significance, as it served as the medium for delivering Divine laws (the Torah). This began with scrolls carrying comforting messages of the promised day of liberation and the redemption of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt, the advent of Shabbat, and the receiving of the Ten Commandments by Moses (משה). Jewish scholars believe that God created the Hebrew letters before the heavens and the earth as a means of communication between Himself and His creations. Through knowledge of this script, humans could connect with their Creator and utilize the Divine laws conveyed by the prophets to aid in their spiritual and moral development.

Mastering the Hebrew language, with its deep historical roots and significant cultural role, requires dedicated study. This piece offers a concise overview of its history, an exploration of the Hebrew letters, and their relationship to numerical values.

The Jewish Writing System

Influence of ancient writing systems

Excavations and discoveries of inscriptions across the Middle East indicate that two primary writing systems initially existed. One belonged to the Sumerian civilization, known as the pictographic or hieroglyphic system, while the other was associated with the Egyptian civilization, characterized by specific symbols and geometric forms, named Hijborow.

Another writing system emerged later. It was the Ugaritic cuneiform, a combination of Egyptian hieroglyphics and the cuneiform system, comprising 600 characters. Historical records suggest this system was used by certain Mediterranean communities until the mid-8th century BC.

As civilizations such as the Phoenicians and Hebrews advanced in Canaan, interactions through trade, culture, and conquests led to significant changes, aligning their scripts and languages. This resemblance is evident in surviving documents comparing Hebrew and Phoenician letters. However, these early systems were initially challenging to master and accessible to only a small minority. Over time, growing practical needs and expanding relationships prompted the development of a simpler script suitable for daily use.

Refinement of the Jewish writing system

Excavations in regions like Bethlehem reveal that after settling in the Holy Land in the 13th century BC, the Jewish people refined their writing system by drawing inspiration from Phoenician letters. This innovation aligned the form of each letter with its meaning and introduced simpler characters. As a result, other communities incorporated these changes into their own writing systems, making the script more accessible and encouraging wider use and learning.

Evolution of Hebrew letters and their symbolism

As previously mentioned, pictographic letters initially depicted animals or objects but evolved over time into the characters used in the current Hebrew script. Although these changes occurred gradually over centuries, some original forms of these letters have been preserved. For instance, the first letter of a word often symbolized the meaning of that word. For example, the letter ב (bet), symbolizing a house, was represented pictorially as a house (ב), linking its form to its meaning.

The letter ו (vav), meaning “nail” in Hebrew, visually resembles a nail. With careful observation, one can see the head of the nail at the top and its body extending downward. Originally shaped like “Y”, it transformed into ו, which continues to visually represent a nail.

Similarly, the letter ג (gimel), meaning “camel” in Hebrew, reflects the camel’s form, with the upper section resembling its head, the middle part representing its neck and body, and the lower portion depicting its legs. Initially, this letter appeared as “1”, evolving over time into ג. It should be noted that all letters underwent considerable transformations in alignment with specific principles.

Hebrew Alphabet and its Numerical Connection

The Hebrew alphabet holds a unique connection to numbers. Kabbalists, studying the Zohar, believe that numerology reveals the secrets of creation and offers a path to self-awareness and a deeper understanding of God. In ancient times, this association between letters and numbers wasn’t just spiritual—it was also seen as a science.

Spread of numerology beyond Judaism

Over time, numerology expanded beyond Jewish mysticism and influenced other cultures. The Greeks, fascinated by the mystical qualities of numbers, embraced this knowledge in their educational and cultural centers. Pythagoras, who learned this discipline from the Jews, was deeply inspired by the mystery of numbers and went on to create a new system grounded in the principles of arithmetic.

Influence on philosophy and religion

Pythagoras also laid the groundwork for a mystical culture (Sufism), which he passed on to Plato. He simplified the mysterious numerological concepts employed by Jews, particularly during the diaspora, to explain Jewish doctrine. Plato learned from Jewish mystics the belief that eternal reality exists independently of time. He formulated this notion as the foundation of universal laws governing destiny, rooted in Divine laws that oversee the cosmos. This inspiration led Pythagoras to introduce the theory of immutability to the ancient world, laying a new foundation of knowledge that would later influence both Christian theology and Islamic civilization.

Revival of the Hebrew Language

Before exploring the Hebrew letters, it’s important to understand the revival of the Hebrew language. This resurgence can be traced to three key factors:

1. Preservation through ancient texts: Religious communities kept the language alive by continuously studying the Torah, Talmud, and Mishnah, ensuring that the old vocabulary remained intact.
2. Innovation from old roots: New words were created by drawing from the roots of Hebrew and Aramaic.
3. Evolving meanings: Old words were given new definitions, though this sometimes led to confusion for later generations. Additionally, the global dispersion of the Jewish people introduced scientific and technical terminology from other languages, further shaping the Hebrew language.

Mystical Interpretations of Hebrew Letters

The study of Hebrew letters and their numerical values involves more than just reading; it’s about analyzing words, interpreting their meaning, and comparing them to others with the same numerical value. Apparently, these interpretations sometimes extended to making predictions or drawing speculative conclusions. While primarily literary and often used for entertainment, Kabbalists argue that the arrangement of letters in words is never random. Each letter can carry profound, mystical insights about life. One of the most important goals, therefore, is to uncover new interpretations and explore the spiritual significance embedded in each letter and word.

Promises in the Torah

Abraham

In the Torah, Sefer Bereshit (Genesis), Parashat Lech Lecha, chapter 17 recounts:

1 And Abram was ninety-nine years old, and God appeared to Abram, and He said to him, “I am the Almighty God; walk before Me and be perfect.

2 And I will place My covenant between Me and between you, and I will multiply you very greatly”.

3 And Abram fell upon his face, and God spoke with him, saying,

4 “As for Me, behold My covenant is with you, and you shall become the father of a multitude of nations.

5 And your name shall no longer be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.

6 And I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings will emerge from you.

…

15 And God said to Abraham, “Your wife Sarai-you shall not call her name Sarai, for Sarah is her name.

16 And I will bless her, and I will give you a son from her, and I will bless her, and she will become [a mother of] nations; kings of nations will be from her. ”

Jacob

Sefer Bereshit (Genesis), Parashat Vayishlach, chapter 35 states:

9 And God appeared again to Jacob when he came from Padan aram, and He blessed him.

10 God said to him, “Your name is Jacob. Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name”. And He named him Israel.

11 And God said to him, “I am the Almighty God; be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a multitude of nations shall come into existence from you, and kings shall come forth from your loins.

12 And the land that I gave to Abraham and to Isaac, I will give to you and to your seed after you will I give the land”.

The Hebrew Alphabet

Main letters

The Hebrew alphabet comprises 22 primary letters. According to Kabbalists, this number aligns with the value of בך (bet and kaf, numerically 22), which means “towards You” and symbolizes the Torah. This interpretation suggests that the Children of Israel direct their prayers towards God.

Additional letters

There are also five additional letters that appear only at the end of words. These are known as the sofit letters—mem, nun, tzadi, peh, and kaf—collectively referred to as מנצפך (meaning “Your prophets”). The sofit letters represent a sense of greatness or elevation. Together with the original 22 letters, they make up a total of 27 characters in the Hebrew alphabet, symbolized by the word זך (zak), which means “pure” or “refined”.

A unique characteristic of Hebrew letters is that each one forms a word on its own, with its own distinct name and numerical value. Typically, the names of the letters are composed of two or, at most, three letters. The only exception to this is Gimel (גימל), which consists of four letters.

Numerical value

Other numbers can be derived from the combination of these letters, such as:

תק: 400 + 100 = 500

תר: 400 + 200 = 600

תש: 400 + 300 = 700

תת: 400 + 400 = 800

תתק: 400 + 400 + 100 = 900

יא: 11

בכ: 20 + 2 = 22

By adding a small mark above the letters (e.g., א, ב, ג), numbers in the thousands or higher are represented:

• א’ = 1000
• ב’ = 2000
• ג’ = 3000
• י’ = 10,000

An agreement has defined the numerical value of letter that did not exist in the original Hebrew alphabet.

 

Vowel marks and mystical properties

Additionally, vowel marks (diacritics) are used to indicate pronunciation and meaning in the Hebrew alphabet. While these marks lack numerical values, Kabbalists believe they each possess unique names and mystical properties (energies).

Name of the symbols, their sounds, and the energy they hold can be found in the table below:

Numerical Interpretation of Hebrew Letters

The numerical values of Hebrew letters are interpreted in different ways, with slight variations across methods. This overview outlines these interpretations and their meanings in various contexts. Sometimes, adjustments—such as disregarding zeroes—are made to draw connections between words and their meanings. The following examples help clarify these approaches.

The numerical value of the Sabbath

Shabbat, the seventh day of the week, is a sacred day of rest and joy for the Jewish people. It is one of the Ten Commandments (the fourth commandment) given to Moses on Mount Sinai. To honor Shabbat, Jewish communities observe a variety of rituals, including wearing clean clothes, enjoying festive meals, studying Divine knowledge, resting, and praying in synagogues. These traditions have been passed down for over 3,300 years.

Shabbat begins on Friday before sunset. Two candles are lit and blessings are recited to welcome the day. This is followed by prayers, drinking wine (yayin), reciting the Birkat Hamotzi blessing over challah bread, and thanking God for other foods like fish, soup, and meat.

An interesting feature of these rituals is that the numerical values of the words associated with Shabbat each total 7, symbolizing the sacredness of this day.

1. נר (Ner) – Candle: The numerical value of נר is 250 (200 + 50). By disregarding the zero, the sum of the digits (2 + 5) equals 7. Lighting candles is a symbol of bringing Divine light into Shabbat.
2. יין (Yayin) – Wine: The numerical value of יין is 70 (10 + 10 + 50). By disregarding the zero, the sum of the digits equals 7. Drinking wine represents creating joy and spiritual elevation, connecting to the Divine.
3. חלה (Challah) – Special bread of Shabbat: The numerical value of חלה is 43 (8 + 30 + 5). The sum of these digits equals 7 (4 + 3). Challah signifies heavenly blessings and is often compared to the biblical “manna”.
4. דג (Dag) – Fish: The numerical value of דג is 340 (100 + 200 + 40). Disregarding the zero, the sum of the digits equals 7.
5. בשר (Basar) – Meat: The numerical value of בשר is 502 (2 + 200 + 300). By ignoring the zero, the sum of the remaining digits equals 7.

Historically, in the feasts and celebrations of the affluent, serving the finest foods—such as fish, soup, and meat—was customary. Similarly, for the Shabbat feast, it is considered obligatory to offer the best foods.

To establish a connection, one can repeatedly add the digits of a multi-digit number together until the result is a two-digit number. By modifying the number—such as doubling it, raising it to a power, or applying basic arithmetic operations—and comparing the results, further connections may emerge. This process becomes clearer with the following example:

The flower of Shushna and its numerical value

For centuries, the red rose has symbolized love and friendship with its vibrant color and elegant beauty. In the Holy Land, a related flower called Shoshana (שושנה) grows, bearing 13 petals.

The numerical value of שושנה is 661 (300 + 6 + 300 + 50 + 5). Adding these digits together gives 13 (6 + 6 + 1), which matches the number of petals on the Shoshana. Interestingly, the word אהבה (Ahava), meaning “love”, also has a numerical value of 13. This connection beautifully links the rose to the concept of love.

When the numerical value of אהבה  (13) is doubled (13 + 13), the result is 26, which corresponds to the name of God, יהוה  (Y-H-V-H), in Hebrew. This is interpreted to mean that when two people unite in love, they achieve Divine harmony and completeness.

In the Zohar, the Shoshana is likened to the people of Israel, flourishing like a budding flower, radiating the fragrance of love and grace.

Source

Mythical Beliefs, Yosef Setareshenas