This study is dedicated in the loving memory of Mr. Arnold Student Litman, may he rest in peace.
In each generation a parent's responsibility is to pass Torah values and Torah observance on to their children.
Notice Noach, a Great Great... Grandfather of Avraham
And he, Noach built an Altar to Hashem and he took from every clean [kosher] animal and from every clean [kosher] bird and he brought up offerings on the altar. Bereishis 8:20
Gematria Kotel
Vah Yee Vehn - Noh Ach - Meez Bay Ach - La Hashem
{And he, Noach, built an Altar to Hashem}
We witness a Mystical connection between Vah Yee Vehn - Noh Ach - Meez Bay Ach - La Hashem {And he, Noach, built an Altar to Hashem} and Avraham through the Gematria Kotel and the Gematria Regil of Vi Ahv Raw Hawm {And Avraham}. Each equals 254. Noach's offering was almost 300 years before Avraham's birth. Yet it points to Avraham. It also points to Avraham's offerings to Hashem. Noach's offerings and Avraham's offerings are similar. The first mention of Vi Ahv Raw Hawm occurs when he circumcises himself at the age of 99 along with Yishmael and all the men of his household. Avraham's circumcision was in reference to when Hashem established the covenant with him and his descendants in Bereishis 15:18. I will refer to the covenant shortly. This is the same covenant that continued in Bereishis 17:2 - 27.
When Noach died Avraham was 88 years of age. It is very likely that Avraham learned with Noach at some point. It is also likely that Avraham learned in the tents of Shem and Eiver.
Avraham's grandfatherly influence impressed his grandson Yaakov before the age of fifteen. Avraham lived to the age of 175 yet Ha Torah says little about Avraham after Yitzchok marries Rivkah. Avraham lived 35 years after their marriage. During those years after his ten trials, Avraham enjoyed the learning tents of Shem and Eiver with his grandson Yaakov.
We see this in the mysticism of six names:
The Gematria totals of Shem and Eiver represent the Spiritualist covenant with our Creator = 612: Shem = 340 years and Eiver = 272 years.
The total years of the lives of Avraham, Yitzchok, Yaakov and Yosief represent the Jewish covenant with our Creator = 612: Avraham 175 years -Yitzchok 180 years - Yaakov 147 years - Yosief 110 years...
It was to Avraham that Yitzchok was born. Understanding the separation between Avram and Avraham is important. The name change of Avram and Sarai to Avraham and Sarah represents the transition from Spirituality to Judaism. Avram and Sarai were Spiritualists. Avraham and Sarah were Jews. When Avram became Avraham and when Sarai became Sarah the promised covenant began. The covenant of Judaism with our Creator began one year before the birth of Yitzchok. The covenant of Judaism began months before the conception of Yitzchok. Classmates, what is the point? Their names were changed well in advance of the conception.
Yishmael was born to Avram when he was a Spiritualist. Yishmael was the son of Avram. Yishmael was not the son of Avraham. The Gematria of Avram and Yishmael or Avraham and Yishmael do not add up to bris {covenant / 612}. See Bereishis 17:9,18 - 21. Our Creator made it clear in Ha Torah that His covenant was with Avraham and the descendants after him. In other words, the covenant was ONLY to the descendants of Avraham and Sarah.
The connection of Shem and Eiver is through the Gematria of their names. Shem lived in the old world before the flood. Shem and Eiver were the righteous descendants of Noach, with whom Hashem made the covenant of the rainbow representing that He would never destroy the entire world by rain again. Shem was a witness to this covenant.
The tents of Shem and Eiver are recognized as the school of Shem and Eiver where Ha Torah was taught. Shem and Eiver taught the Spiritualist law and tradition given to Adam and Noach. In Bereishis 14:18 Malki Tzedek {Shem}, the King of Shalem, brought out bread and wine... to Avraham. Rashi comments that Midrash Aggadah [explains] that he [Malki Tzedek] intimated to him {Avraham} regarding the meal offerings {by giving him bread} and the libations {by giving him wine} that his [Avraham's] descendants would offer there {in Yerushalayim}. Each of these are alluded to by the fact that Ha Torah states He was a Kohein of the Most High Alm-ghty. The Midrash states that originally Hashem desired to make Shem the forefather of all kohanim, but since he [Shem] blessed Avram before blessing his Creator, Hashem took the kehuna away from Shem and gave it to Avram instead.
This is the path where righteous parental influence leads...
Ha Torah records, Hashem appeared to Avram, and said, 'To your seed will I give this land: and there he {Avram} built an altar to Hashem, Who appeared to him. Bereishis 12:7
Here we see Avram's proper attitude towards his Creator setting the stage for his upcoming meeting with Malki Tzedek regarding offerings to Hashem as mentioned above.
Here we also see a similarity between Noach and Avram.
Ha Torah states Vah Yee Vehn - No Ach - Meez Bay Ach La Hashem, meaning Noach built an altar to Hashem as mentioned in Gematria 254 above.
Here Ha Torah states, Vah Yee Vehn - Shawm - Meez Bay Ach La Hashem, meaning There he {Avram} built an altar to Hashem. Noach's name is missing and in place of Noach's name is the word Shawm meaning there. An interesting connection here is that the Hebrew spelling for Shawm meaning there and Shem meaning Shem, the son of Noach, also known as Malki Tzedek, Kohein of the Most High Alm-ghty, is the exact same spelling. The point here is that Ha Torah states, There he {Avram} built an altar to Hashem, but in a mystical way Ha Torah points to Shem, the son of Noach, who also built an altar to Hashem as the Kohein of the Most High Alm-ghty. In that sense the Torah implies Shem built an altar to Hashem. In other words, Avram built an altar to Hashem LIKE Shem built an altar to Hashem. At that time Shem was the Kohein not Avraham. Who taught Avraham to build this altar?
He {Avram} moved from ‘there’ { Mee Shawm} to a mountain on the east of Beis Eil, and pitched his tent, having Beis Eil on the west, and Ai on the east: and there he {again} built an altar to Hashem, and proclaimed the name of Hashem. Bereishis 12:8
Again we see the words: Vah Yee Vehn - Shawm - Meez Bay Ach La Hashem, meaning There he {Avram} built an altar to Hashem. The Gematria significance here makes reference to the days when Avraham's descendants would observe the commands of Hashem and when his descendants would offer PURE BREAD TO HASHEM.
The significance of the Gematria of Mah Tzoht {bread without leaven} and Mitz Vot is discussed in the lesson entitled Building an Altar of Observance.
In Bereishis13: 4, we read that Avram returned to the place of the altar, which he made there at first; and there Avram called in the name of Hashem.
Again we read in Bereishis 13:18 Avram set up his tent, and he came and settled in the plain of Mamre, which is in Chevron, and he built there an altar to Hashem.
Classmates, it is clear from these Torah examples that Avraham established a pattern of appreciation to Hashem that he would pass on to his children and grandchildren. It is evident that this pattern of Vah Yee Vehn - Shawm - Ahv Raw Hawm - Ehs - Hah Meez Bay Ach {And Avraham built an altar there} was deeply rooted in his belief system. Next we observe several interesting connections to the next generation. The Gematria for Vah Yee Vehn - Shawm - Ahv Raw Hawm - Ehs - Hah Meez Bay Ach is 1119. The Gematria Miluy {full or total} for Avraham is also 1119. This represents Avraham's total commitment, his completely established pattern. This is designated by the fullness within every letter of Avraham's name. See Bereishis 22:9.
Now notice the fullness of every letter, the total essence of Avraham's name:
Ahv Raw Hawm {Avraham}
We read, And they came to the place that G-d had told [Avraham] of and Avraham he built everything from Aleph to Tav of the Altar there and arranged everything from Aleph to Tav of the wood and bound everything from Aleph to Tav of Yitzchok his son and he [Avraham] placed him there on the altar on top of the wood. Bereishis 22:9 Yitzchok has now become an everlasting part of Avraham's altar building by becoming the sacrifice offering. Yitzchok is the sacrifice offering. What a way for Hashem to grab and hold Yitzchok's attention, to engage Yitzchok in Vah Yee Vehn - Shawm - Ahv Raw Hawm - Eht - Hah Meez Bay Ach! This vivid lesson was NEVER forgotten by Yitzchok!! This taught Yitzchok the furthest extent to which Hashem was to be obeyed. It also taught Yitzchok to humble himself like his very great father Avraham and to bow to Hashem and His commands. Yitzchok willingly offered himself as a sacrifice because he saw the pure essence of his father's great observance.
We see the humility of Avraham and Yitzchok in the Gematria, Sees Taw Chah Veh {to bow down}, which has the Gematria 1119.
From Avraham’s obedience Yitzchok learned the meaning of And he built an altar there, and proclaimed the name of Hashem, and pitched his tent there... Bereishis 26:25 Yitzchok learned from Avraham his father Vah Yee Vehn - Shawm - Meez Bay Ach {And he built an altar there}. The Gematria Kotel = 475. The normal Gematria is 465. There are ten letters representing the ten trials of Avraham in which the final trial concluded with offering Yitzchok as a sacrifice. It is from this Gematria that we draw Ah Voh Say Nu {our fathers}. Yitzchok learned to build an altar and offer to Hashem the Creator from his father Avraham. But where did Avraham learn to do this? Avraham had to learn from Noach, Shem or Eiver. The Midrash states that the first meeting between Avraham and Shem was in Bereishis 15:18 after Avraham had already begun Vah Yee Vehn - Shawm - Meez Bay Ach in Bereishis 12:8. So Avraham must have learned from either Noach or Eiver.
From Avraham Yitzchok learned and from Yitzchok Yaakov learned: And he erected there an altar, and called it ‘The Alm-ghty is the G-d of Yisroel.’ Bereishis 33:20 Here we see a variation of words for the same act of Noach, Shem, Eiver, Avraham, and Yitzchok, Vah Yah Tzehv - Shawm - Meez Bay Ach {He [Yaakov] erected there an altar.} This equals the Gematria of 515 which focuses on the tefillah of Yaakov's parents, Yitzchok {Bereishis 25:21} and Rivkah {Bereishis 25:22}, and the grandparents. This is the tradition passed down to Yaakov. The Gematria of Tefillah is 515 and the combined Gematria of Yitzchok {208} and Rivkah {307} is also 515. The Gematria of Sarah is 505. We will conclude with the Gematria 536 which connects Avraham in Bereishis 25:21.
In Sarah we observe the deep desire to raise righteous children free from evil influence. She insisted that Avraham send Haggar and Yishmael out. It was to protect her son Yitzchok. In a similar fashion Rivkah sent Yaakov away from Eisov.
Close to the beginning of our Gematrias in this lesson we read regarding Avram.
Vah Yee Vehn - Shawm - Meez Bay Ach La Hashem {There he [Avram] built an altar to Hashem}. We showed this Gematria to be 536.
Ha Torah states, Hashem said to Yaakov, 'Return to the land of your fathers and to your birthplace.’ Bereishis 31:3 Voo Li Mooh Lahd Teh Chaw {and to your birthplace} also has the Gematria 536. One must ask, where was Yaakov's birthplace? Yaakov's birthplace was near the tents of Shem and Eiver according to our sages. Yaakov learned in their tents as a youth before his Grandfather Avraham died. Yaakov's birthplace was near his grandfather Avraham who lived close to Yitzchok and Rivkah. Yaakov's birthplace was in the words / actions of Vah Yee Vehn - Shawm - Meez Bay Ach La Hashem {There he [Avram] built an altar to Hashem} as scribed in Bereishis 12:8. Yaakov's birthplace was near his Grandfather Avraham who instructed and learned in the school of Shem and Eiver. Again we return to the Shawm, meaning THERE. This is the Shin and Mem that represent and connect Shem, Avraham and Yaakov. Essentially Hashem said to Yaakov, ‘RETURN THERE!’ Where? Return there to the place of your birth near the schools, the tents of Shem and Eiver and your Grandfather Avraham, near your father.
We began by stating Avraham learned with Noach. We stated that during Avraham's last years he learned with his grandson Yaakov in the tents of Shem and Eiver. We spoke of his grandfatherly influence on his grandson Yaakov. We see this in the Gematria Echad {adding ONE to the normal Gematria in honor / remembrance of Hashem} of the words Zay Kayn - Vih Saw Vay {[Avraham was Old / Wise and Satisfied] } to which we add, what is wiser or more satisfying than studying Ha Torah in a house of learning with your grandson? Certainly Hashem is honored by such a great action as this!! See Bereishis 25:8
When we observe the words Hashem Ehl Yaakov Shoov {Hashem [said] to Yaakov return}, we observe an interesting Gematria. The Gematria is 547 which is eleven over the Gematria 536 represented by the words: Vah Yee Vehn - Shawm - Meez Bay Ach La Hashem {There he [Avram] built an altar to Hashem}. Why? What does this mean? The extra eleven represents Yaakov’s eleven sons at the time he departed Lavan. This is a hint of passing Ha Torah along to his sons...
So we Mystically observe that Yaakov, like his father, passed this great tradition along to his children. This is especially noticeable with the Gematria Mispar Katan of Vah Yah Tzehv - Shawm - Meez Bay Ach {And he [Yaakov] built an altar} in Bereishis 33:20. Why is this significant? The Gematria Mispar Katan of Vah Yah Tzehv - Shawm - Meez Bay Ach {And he [Yaakov] built an altar} is 46. This is the Gematria of the son Levi who the Levium, the Kohanim {priests} and the Kohen Godal {High Priest} would all descend from. They would follow what Avraham their great... great... grandfather did. They would build altars and make offerings to Hashem.
The Gematria Mispar Katan points to Yaakov's son Levi whose descendants would continue this incredible heritage passed from Noach to... Shem to... Eiver to... Avraham to... Yitzchok and to... Yaakov. Levi's descendants would carry on the tradition of Vah Yah Tzehv - Shawm - Meez Bay Ach by moving and erecting the altar of the Shulkan, working in and around the Shulkan and the Bais Ha Mikdosh and offering sacrifices on the altar to Hashem...
In Bereishis 35:1 we observe Yaakov expanding upon his trust and faith surrounding the importance of erecting an altar to Hashem. G-d said to Yaakov, 'Arise, go up to Beis Eil, and dwell there: and make there an altar to G-d, that appeared to you when you fled from the face of Eisov your brother.’ This instruction was for his children as well... It taught them what they should do in times of trouble as well as in times of thanksgiving. Yaakov responds, Let us arise, and go up to Beis Eil; and I will make there an altar to G-d, Who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went. Bereishis 35:3 There he built an altar, and he called the place ‘Eil Beis Eil,’ because there G-d appeared to him, when he fled from the face of his brother. Bereishis 35:7
So, holy classmates, we have observed many mystical connections between our great religious leaders... in Noach, Shem and Eiver and our great Patriarchs and Matriarchs, erecting an altar to Hashem in times of appreciation {Noach, Shem, Avraham, Yitzchok and Yaakov}, in times of prayer {Avraham and Sarah / Yitzchok and Rivkah} and in times of distress {Yaakov, Yosief and Levi and the eleven sons and one daughter}. These great values have been passed down to us. Now while our Bais HaMikdosh is destroyed we have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Yitzchok and Rivkah and Dovid Ha Melech, offering our tefillah, our offerings of thanks and praise to Hashem. We have this incredible challenge to pass along thousands of years of valuable Torah learning to our children and grandchildren, G-d willing!
Wishing you the best!
Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk
Assignment:
1.) In your own words, explain the significance of Gematria 612 for Spiritualists and for Jews.
2.) Why does Ha Torah differentiate between Avram and Avraham and between Sarai and Sarah?
3.) Why was Yitzchok the son of promise and not Yishmael?
4.) Give several examples of how prayer is significant in the generations from Noach through the children of Yaakov. Select several examples. It is not necessary to trace from Noach through Yoseif and Levi.
Written in 5760
Updated in 5764
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