This study of mysticism in Hebrew Gematria is dedicated by the family of Akiva G. Belk in the loving memory of Mrs. Ethel Channah Sakash Belk, may she rest in peace.

If you would like to dedicate a Gematria lesson for our cyberspace class in the memory of a dear friend or loved one we will do this for a gift of Chai, $18.00 American dollars.

Gematria is a particular study of Jewish mysticism based on the numerical value of Hebrew letters in the Aleph Bais (Hebrew alphabet) as inscribed in the Torah. Jewish Gematria has many disciplines.

This week we are commanded by Hashem to have just scales. We are instructed, "Do not commit a perversion in justice, in measure of length, weight, or volume." Leviticus 19:36

What are "Just scales?" Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin states, "This teaches that the one who measures is considered a judge; for if he falsifies the measurement he is like one who perverts a judgment.... he contaminates the Land, desecrates the Name, drives out the Divine Presence, causes Israel to fall by the sword, and exiles them from their land."

"One could reason in an fortiori manner as follows: As a rule, judges do not accept bribery; yet, we are commanded to seek out the most excellent court. A merchant, on the other hand, would profit from the 'perversion of justice' {i.e. the inaccurate measurement), and so is constantly tempted to succumb to this form of "bribery," therefore, as we are commanded to seek out the most righteous judge, how much more effort should we make to seek out the most honest merchant!"

A Story About Fairness

There was a time that my company used to print Bar / Bas Mitzvah and wedding announcements / invitations. For each set of parents that came to me I used the exact same price guide. Some parents considered the prices good, others did not. There were times that parents would attempt to dicker with me over the price. I would say, "the Gold family {or the Berg family or whatever family} just made a purchase of this invitation. It is the same as yours. I am offering you the same price as them. The Torah requires me to treat everyone fairly." It amazed me that Jews proclaiming to be ORTHODOX would then ignore what I just said. I would repeat it again. After awhile I became frustrated and stopped offering printing to the community. Almost every Jew would say, "I'm only trying to get the best price. My budget is limited, etc."

Dear reader, holy reader, you may argue that the scales were the same, that the only dickering was over the price per pound, that everyone has a right to dicker over the price per pound. I have heard these arguments but I don't agree with them! I also do not agree with the concept of seeking out a favorable opinion. We have one Torah and many opinions! The problem is not with the rabbi who out of the conviction of his heart and to the best of his understanding renders the same opinion given the same circumstances. The problem is with the individual who shops, if you will, for the best deal. That is a perversion of Torah! The problem is with the individual who knows how to ask a question in such a way as to arrive at the preferred answer. That is a perversion of Torah! Everyone desires a favorable deal yet everyone wants justice. If justice is not equal is it justice?

How would you feel if the following happened to you:

A person appoints an executor for their will. The executor at the time was a neighbor and trusted friend. The individual dies, G-d forbid! Later, various people in the community approach the executor regarding the price of the property. Several people are told $240,000, others are told another price, then to everyone's astonishment the house is sold for only $140,000 to an influential person in the community. Now the question again arises, does each member of the community have the right to dicker with the executor or is the executor required to offer the property at the same price to everyone? Obviously, if these facts are accurate, there was more than dickering going on here. There was favoritism. There was injustice. If the weights, the scales were the same, then why was there such a vast price difference? Would you want to stand before a judge with such vast differences?

The price should have been equal to all.

In the years of printing for the community no one ever came back to me saying you gave a better deal to... The price was the price!

G-d who knows what scales are accurate judges everyone fairly. G-d who exposes the heart of everyone knows what is just. That is why the Gematria 257 for Avi Nay Tzeh Dehk, meaning "Just Scales" and the Gematria 257 for Ahron {as in Ahron Kodesh} are the exact same. When one judges and when one uses scales for measurement it is as if he is standing before the Ahron Kodesh. It is as if his judgment is being reviewed by the Supreme Judge of the Universe. We are required to remember the required holiness in being fair to everyone!

{From right to left}
Avi Nay Tzeh Dehk
257 = Kuf= 100 + Dalet= 4 + Tzaddi= 90 + Yud= 10 + Nun= 50 + Bais= 2 + Aleph= 1

Ahron
257 = Nun = 50 + Vav = 6 + Reish = 200 + Aleph = 1

Wishing you the best,

Dr. Akiva G. Belk

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