Parshat: December 2008 Archives

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≈Qemi yhiy"wæi

And it Happened at the End... ©

By Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk

Our Devri Torah is in the loving Memory of Mrs Ethel Channah Sakash Belk and Donald Wayne Belk and Mr. Gary Lee Belk, may they rest in peace.

Parshat Mikeitz

Bereisheit [Genesis] 41.1 - 44.17

It is interesting that Ha Torah says ≈Qemi yhiy"wæi Vah Yih Hee - Mee Kaytz {And it happened at the end} and Pharaoh had a dream.  Now we are about to G-d Willing Observe a unique form of Mysticism.  µymiy: µyItæn:v] ≈Qemi yhiy"wæi Vah Yih Hee - Mee Kaytz - Shih Naw Tah Yeem - Yaw Mee {And it happened at the end of two full years of days} and Pharaoh had a dream.  First this is like setting an alarm clock to sound off at the exact mini second when Yoseif fulfills two complete years of days.  Ha Torah is very deliberate on this.  Our Sages translate this to mean, And it happened at the end of two years to the day or And it happened at the end of two full years of days.  Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz and Rabbi Nosson Scherman, The Artscroll Tanach Series - Bereishis Vol. I(b) (Brooklyn, New York: Mesorah Publications, Ltd. 3rd Impression, 1989), p 1758  We we know the obvious.  And Pharaoh had a dream.  However Pharaoh did not have this dream until Yoseif fulfills two complete years of days.  Pharaoh did not have his dream until the exact mini second of Yoseif's time had been reached.  Why?  I discuss this in more length in an Audio b-41 entitled Two Full Years Of Days.  This audio is available through the Learning Store at:

http://www.bnti.us/library.html  Because this area has already been discussed we will not review this area.

In Baal HaTurim we note: '≈Qemi yhiy"wæi - IT WAS AT THE END. The [Word] ≈Qemi, at the end, is used here, and with regard to [Avraham], [Ha] Torah [Uses] the expression,  µynIv; rc,[, ≈Qemi, after ten years ([Bereisheit] 16.3.  This implies that just as that verse speaks of ten years, so to does our verse speak of [a period that began] after ten years. And the verse is to be understood as follows: ≈Qemi yhiy"wæi, It happened after [ten years, of Joseph's imprisonment,  µymiy: µyItæn:v], that], an additional two years [were added to his term because he put his faith in the cupbearer].' Rabbi Avie Gold, Baal HaTurim Chumash (Brooklyn, New York: Mesorah Publications, Ltd. First Edition 09/1999), p 376

So Rabbi Yaakov Baal HaTurim makes a connect between Bereisheit 16.3 and Bereisheit 41.1.  ≈Qemi yhiy"wæi Vah Yih Hee - Mee Kaytz {And it happened at the end} and Pharaoh had a dream.   There is an additional connection that coincides with what Baal HaTurim has said. This period of separation between 10 years and the additional period of separation of two years is noted by the word h[or"pæW Ooh Fah Rih Oh {And Pharaoh}.  Why did Ha Torah include the Letter Vav?  Why Did Ha Torah Intend to Say, And Pharaoh [had a dream] instead of simply Pharaoh [had a dream]?  The Letter Vav Implies something else was happening here.   The Letter Vav Implies that after Yoseif had reached the exact mini second of his EXTENDED TIME of two years for his sin in placing trust in the cupbearer that it was then that Pharaoh had his dream.  How do we know this?  The Gematria of h[or"pæW Ooh Fah Rih Oh {And Pharaoh} is 361.  Now lets notice the Gematria of   µymiy: µyItæn:v] ≈Qemi yhiy"wæi Vah Yih Hee - Mee Kaytz - Shih Naw Tah Yeem - Yaw Mee {And it happened at the end of two full years of days} and Pharaoh had a dream. When we extract the word  µyItæn:v] Shih Naw Tah Yeem {two years} Ha Torah Reads: µymiy: [...] ≈Qemi yhiy"wæi Vah Yih Hee - Mee Kaytz - [...] - Yaw Mee {And it happened at the end of [...] days}...  The implication is that just as Yoseif's time of an additional two years did not expire until the very mini second it was complete / full of days the same will hold true for the end of days.  The End of Days will not come until the very mini second of this time period is exactly full / complete.  We see this in the Gematria of h[or"pæW Ooh Fah Rih Oh {And Pharaoh} equalling 361 and the EXTRACTED Gematria of 

µymiy: [...] ≈Qemi yhiy"wæi Vah Yih Hee - Mee Kaytz - [...] - Yaw Mee {And it happened at the end of [...] days}... 

361 = h5 [70 r200 p80 w6

361 = µ40 y10 m40 y10 -  [...] - ≈90 q100 m40 - y10 h5 y10 w6

Now the Word  µyItæn:v] Shih Naw Tah Yeem {two years} is the Gematria of 800.  It is interesting that this is an even Gematria to the very hundred.  It is note worthy to mention that the number 8 represents new beginnings.  Yet we are focusing on years.  The Two is implied.  Why? hn:v; Shaw Nawh means year.  However when Shaw Nawh becomes µyItæn:v] Shih Naw Tah Yeem it is plural.  Therefore it must make reference to at least two years. The twelve usages of µyItæn:v] Shih Naw Tah Yeem in HaTenach all are in reference to two years.  However,  hn:v; Shaw Nawh also means to change.  The implication of  of µyItæn:v] Shih Naw Tah Yeem  would be changes.  So one could argue that   µymiy: µyItæn:v] ≈Qemi yhiy"wæi Vah Yih Hee - Mee Kaytz - Shih Naw Tah Yeem - Yaw Mee could be translated to mean And changes happened at the end of days.   This being said, the Gematria of  ˆWdmev;Ti Tee Shaw May Doon {[you] shall be destroyed could represent the destruction of many nations at The End of Days when Mashiach comes!

800 = µ40 y10 t400 n50 v300

800 = ˆ50 w6 d4 m40 v300 t400

When we observe the Gematria Miluy of ≈Qemi Mee Kaytz  we spell out each Letter then total all Letters.

The first Letter Mem, m, is spelled  µm = 80

The second Letter Kuf,  q, is spelled πwq = 186

The third Letter Tzade, ≈, is spelled ydx = 104

370 =  µ40 m40 = 80   +   π80 w6 q100 = 186   +   y10 d4 x90 = 104

370 = h5 a1 n50 q100 j8 w6 r200

Remember ≈Qemi Mee Kaytz in Bereisheit 41.1 means at the end.

Bereisheit 4.3 In the process of time...

Bereisheit 8.6 at the end of...

Bereisheit 16.3 at the end of...

Many references to ≈Qemi Mee Kaytz mean at the end of...

So when we consider the Gematria 370 of ha;n"qiAjæWr Roo Ach - Keen Aw {Spirit of Jealousy} we can possible understand why Yoseif was placed in jail originally.  Ha Torah Says, And it happened when [Yoseif's] master heard everything from Aleph to Tav of the words of his wife which she spoke to him, saying, 'Your slave did these things to me,' he became furious, Bereisheit 39.19. Do you suppose that she just may of been trying to fire up the flames of  ha;n"qiAjæWr Roo Ach - Keen Aw {Spirit of Jealousy}?   Ha Torah Speaks about  ha;n"qiAjæWr Roo Ach - Keen Aw {Spirit of Jealousy} in BaMidbar 5.14;30.  The point is that Yoseif was suppose to get out of jail after 10 years.  How was it that the jailer kept Yoseif an additional two years?   Is it possible that the jailer's wife heard that Yoseif was being released after ten years and flamed ha;n"qiAjæWr Roo Ach - Keen Aw {Spirit of Jealousy} in her husband against Yoseif ?  Something had to happen to physically keep Yoseif in jail an additional two years.  We know that Yoseif sinned by putting his faith in the cupbearer instead of the Creator of the Universe.  What pretense did they use to keep Yoseif in jail an additional ten years?  Now we understand that the FULL number,  the Miluy of  ≈Qemi Mee Kaytz is 370.   ≈Qemi Mee Kaytz means at the end of... Here it could be that it was at the end of the husbands Spirit of Jealousy...

There is one additional factor that is very interesting.  The Gematria of πsewOy Yoseif is 156 as is ha;n"qi Keen Aw {jealousy}.

156 = π80 s60 w6 y10

156 = h5 a1 n50 q100

May Hashem Help us to be careful not to inflame jealousy in other.  May we avoid the snares other try to set for us.  May we not be punished for things we did not do.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Akiva Gamliel

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 µynIquz"AˆB,AyKi

For [Yoseif is the] Son of Wisdom / Old Age

By Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk

Our Devri Torah is in the loving Memory of Mr. Donald Wayne Belk and Mr. Gary Lee Belk, may they rest in peace.

Parshat Vayeishev

Bereisheit [Genesis] 37.1 - 40.23

Ha Torah Says, And Yisroel [Yaakov] loved everything from Aleph to Tav of Yosef from all his sons for he was the son of old age [Wisdom].  How do we know the reference is to wisdom and not to age? ˆq,z: Zaw Kehn is singular for old.  Zaw Kehn normally refers to an individual who has reached seventy years old or greater.  Tanna Kamma / the majority view of the Sages of Mishnah hold that one should stand for Zaw Kehn {an elder man} providing he is not iniquitous.  One is not required to stand for a young Sage. Issi ben Yehudah's opinion requires that one stand for a Zaw Kehn even if he is iniquitous a Sage even if he is young. {See Kiddushin 32b 18}  The first usage of Zaw Kehn in Ha Torah is Bereisheit 18.12. There Sarah makes reference to her master [Avraham] as an old man. 

hn:±d"[, yLi¢Aht;y"h;î yŸtiløb] yrE•j}a' rmo-ale HB...¢r"qIB] hr:¡c; qjæàx]Tiw"

.ˆqEêz: ynI¡doaw"ô

Zaw Kehn is used often in Bereisheit for a single older male.  See: Bereisheit 18.12; 19.4,31; 24.1,2; 25.8; 27.1; 35.29; 43.27; 44.20; 48.10.  The plural usage for Zaw Kehn is first recorded in Ha Torah in Bereisheit 18.11.  There Ha Torah Says,  Avraham [who was 99 years of age] and Sarah [who was 89 years of age] were µynIqez" Zih Kay Neem meaning elderly.

 hr:+c;l] t/y§h]li l~d"j; µymi-Y:B' µyai`B; µynI±qEz" h~r:c;w" µh...¶r:b]a'w"

.µyviâN:K' jr"ao¡

Why is this important?

First Zih Kay Neem is normally used as the plural word for more than one older individual as noted in the above example.  See: Bereisheit 18.11; 37.3; 44. 20; Shemot / Exodus 24.14; Bamidbar / Numbers 11.25; Devarim / Deuteronomy 22.16; 25.7; 25.9. 

Second, one of the thirteen principles of Torah Hermeneutics as defined by Torah Scholar, Rabbi Yishmael, is hw:v; hr:zEG" Gezeirah Shavah.  The thirteen Rules of Hermeneutical are listed in most Jewish Siddurim.  For Ashkenazi: Rabbi Menachem Davis, Editor, The Schottenstein Edition Siddur for Weekdays, (Brooklyn, NY: Mesorah Publications, Ltd., First Edition, 2002), pp 64-69  For Sefard: Rabbi Menachem Davis, Editor, The Schottenstein Edition Siddur for Weekdays, (Brooklyn, NY: Mesorah Publications, Ltd., Third Impression, 2007), pp 73-77

The Second Hermeneutic Rule:  Gezeirah Shavah is defined as when similar words or phrases occur in two  otherwise unrelated Passukim / Verses of Ha Torah, the principle of Gezeirah Shavah Teaches that these Passukim are linked to one another, and the laws of one Passuk are applied to the other.  Only those words which are designated by the Oral Law for this purpose may serve as a basis for Gezeirah Shavah. The Schottenstein Edition Talmud Bavli Tractate Kiddushin 36 (Mesorah Publications, Ltd., Brooklyn, N.Y. fourth edition 2005) Glossary

Based upon the interpretation of  Gezeirah Shavah Bereisheit 18.11 and Bereisheit 37.3 are related by the Word  µynIqez" Zih Kay Neem.  How are they related?  In Bereisheit 18.11 the Word Zih Kay Neem makes reference to two individuals, Avraham and Sarah. In Bereisheit 37.3 the Word Zih Kay Neem makes reference to two individuals, Yaakov and Yoseif.   So the Word  µynIqez" Zih Kay Neem and µynIquz" Zih Koo Neem which are both spelled the same establishes a connection between them through Gezeirah Shavah.  There is an additional tie-in.  Onkelos translates it [ µynIquz" Zih Koo Neem] as, 'He was a wise son to him,' [because] all that [Yaakov] had learned from Sheim and Eiver, he transmitted to him [Yoseif]. Rabbi Avrohom Davis / Rabbi Avrohom Kleinkaufman, The Metsudah Chumash / Rashi Bereishis (Hoboken, NJ: KTAV Publishing House, Inc. 1991) p 417  How does one make this tie-in?  Bamidbar 11.16 Hashem Said to Moshe, 'Gather seventy men for Me, from the Elders [Sages] of Yisroel [men] that you know to be elders of the people.'

Rabbi Yose Says, The Word Zaw Kehin in this context can only mean Sage.  The Word ˆq,z: Zaw Kehn is treated as an acronym of hnq; hz< (Zeh Kanah), this one has acquired [Wisdom] (Rashi), {Kiddushin 32b}.  Our Sages Ask, What is there to acquire but Wisdom? Our Sages Teach If one acquires it [i.e. wisdom], what does he lack?  If one fails to acquire it, what does he possess? Nedarim 41a

So we learn that Yoseif was a wise son.  We already understand that µynIquz" Zih KooNeem cannot refer to age for two reasons.  First Zih Koo Neem is plural.    Zih Koo Neem includes Yaakov who is 91 years of age and Yoseif who is just 17 years of age.  One is old and one is young so  Zih Koo Neem must mean something else.  Our Sages Teach that  Zih Koo Neem can not refer to age because Yoseif was a son born to Yaakov in his old age, because all of Yaakov's sons were in fact born to him when he was older [84 years of age or older].  Yissocher and Zevulun were only a year or two older than Yoseif.  Binyomin was even younger! So it could not be that Yaakov loved Yoseif for that reason.  Avrohom Davis, Metsudah Midrash Tanchuma Bereishis 1 (Monsey, NY Eastern Book Press Inc. 2005) p168

Having set the basis for the discussion notice that the Gematria of  µynIquz"AˆB,AyKi For [Yoseif is the] Son of Wisdom is the Gematria of 289.  The Word dr<P;hi Hee Paw Rehd meaning separation is also the Gematria of 289.  At about this time Yoseif began a 22 year separation from his father.  His father was under the impression that Yoseif was πrOf; Taw Roof meaning torn in pieces, Bereisheit 37.33. The Gematria for Taw Roof is also 289. After the 22 year separation Yoseif set a sign to his father so his father would know that it was indeed Yoseif.  It was a sign that only Yaakov would know.  In Bereisheit 45.27 Ha Torah Notes, And [Yoseif's Brothers] told [Yaakov] all the words of Yoseif...  Our Sages Teach that Yoseif's sign was the subject that they were studying at the time of Yoseif's separation.

Our Sages also Teach that Yaakov and Yoseif looked alike.  When Yoseif would look in the mirror he would see the face of his father, Yaakov.  So when Ha Torah Notes bqO[æyæ axeyEwE Vah Yay Tzah - Yaakov meaning Yaakov left separated from Beer Sheva..., Bereisheit 28.10 Ha Torah is Informing us of the great vacuum left when Yaakov departed from Beer Sheva.  Mystically Ha Torah through the Gematria 289 is Informing us that Yoseif and Yaakov left off from their Torah Study together.  Ha Torah is Informing us that Yoseif left a large vacuum when he departed Eretz Canaan.  Ha Torah is informing us that Yaakov left of from studying Ha Torah for the 22 years while Yoseif was separated from him.  He mourned the entire time with the exception of Shabbat and Yom Tovim.  One does not study Ha Torah when they are mourning.

289 = µ40 y10 n50 q100 z7   ˆ50 b2   y10 k20

289 = d4 r200 p80 h5

289 = π80 r200 f9

289 = b2 q100 [70 y10  a1 x90 y10 w6

May Hashem Bless each of us to not be dr<P;hi Hee Paw Rehd from our Torah study.  May we not be πrOf; Taw Roof away from learning Ha Torah and may we not leave off from studying Ha Torah.

Blessings and Peace,

Dr. Akiva Gamliel

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wyn:p;l] µykia;l]mæ bqo[æyæ

Yaakov  Sent Angels Before Him

The Power of Mysteries Words And Observances!

By Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk

Our Devri Torah is in the loving Memory of Mr. Donald Wayne Belk and Mr. Gary Lee Belk, may they rest in peace.

Parshat Vayishlach

Bereisheit [Genesis] 32.4 - 36.43

Ha Torah Says Yaakov sent Mah Lih Aw Cheem {Angels / Messengers} before him.  The Stone Chumash translates this correctly as Angels.  Many versions translate this as Messengers.  This is also correct.  They were Messengers.  Yet they were not just Messengers.  They were Angels who were Messengers!  And they were not just Angels who were Messengers.  They were Angles who were Messengers who were twOab;x] Tzee Vih Oht {Hosts}!   Who were the Hosts?  They were some of the angels Hashem Commands. Tehillim [Psalms] 24. 10 Says, Who is He, this King of Glory?  Hashem of Hosts!  He is the King of Glory!  Ibn Ezra Says they were 'Heavenly Bodies'. Rabbi Avrohom Chaim Feuer and Rabbi Nosson Scherman The Artscroll Tanach Series - Tehillim Volume 2 - (Brooklyn New York: Mesorah Publications, Ltd. 3rd Impression 1991), p 303

The first three Letters of twOab;x] Tzee Vih Oht {Hosts} comes from ab;x; Tzaw Vaw meaning  [Heavenly] Army, [Heavenly] Troops, [A force of] Hosts.  The last three Letters of twOab;x] Tzee Vih Oht {Hosts} is twOa Oht meaning Sign, Symbol, Miracle, Omen Emblem or Letter.  The Gematria of  Yaakov - Mah Lih Aw Cheem - Lih Faw Nawv meaning Yaakov sent Angels before him is 499.  The Gematria of Tzee Vih Oht meaning Hosts is also 499.

499 = w6 y10 n50 p80 l30 -  µ40 y10 k20 a1 l30 m40 -  b2 q100 [70 y10

499 = t400 w6 a1 b2 x90

It is also important to note that Then Ha Torah Says, And He Commanded them.  The last two Letters of wxæy"wæ Vah Yih Tzah meaning and he Commanded are the center two Letters of  hw...xmi Mitzvaw as in Commandment, Law, Precept.  The Gematria of  Mah Lih Aw Cheem {Angels / Messengers} is 141.  The Gematria of Mitzvaw is also 141. 

141 = µ40 y10 k20 a1 l30 m40

141 = h5 w6 x90 m40

Mah Lih Aw Cheem  begins and ends with the Mystical Letter Mem!

So the Mah Lih Aw Cheem were Messengers, were Angels, were Hosts each with a Command.  These Commands consisted of Words made up of Letters.  Yaakov, He commanded them Saying, This is what you should say to my master, Eisov.  So says your servant, Yaakov, I was stranger with Lavan and was delayed until now.  I acquired oxen, donkeys, sheep, servants, and maidservants.  I have sent [these Words / Commands] to tell this to my master  find favor in your eyes. This is what was said, but what was meant by these Words? What is the intended message? 

First, Yaakov sent Angels.  What did this say to Eisov?  How did Eisov look upon Angels?  Ha Torah does not say what Eisov's response was to Yaakov's message.  Why was it necessary for Angels to deliver this message? 

Second, Why was it necessary for Yaakov to say, I was a stranger with Lavan and was delayed until now.  Eisov knew Yaakov was with Lavan.  Eisov knew Yaakov was delayed.  Why does Ha Torah State what seems to be the obvious?

The answer is in the Word yTir"Gæ Gahr Tee meaning stranger or outsider.  Yaakov was telling his brother that he was not familiar with Lavan or his sons.  He was saying it was unpleasant to live with Lavan.  Yaakov was saying  it was uncomfortable to live with Lavan.  He was saying that he, his wives and their children were all aliens to Lavan.  In fact Yaakov's wives said, Are not considered by him as twOyrIk]n... Naw Chih Ree Yoht meaning Strangers or Foreignness?  What was it that was so foreign to Lavan?  It was the Observances of Ha Torah.  The first four Letters of twOyrIk]n... Naw Chih Ree Yoht represent yrIkn... Nawch Ree which is representative of a person who is foreign or alien because they Observe the Seven Mitzvot of Ha Torah.  Yaakov's wives were saying our Observances of Ha Torah have made us foreign to our father.   In a similar way Yaakov was saying to Eisov I was yTir"Gæ Gahr Tee meaning I was a stranger with Lavan.  The Gematria of Gahr Tee is 613.  Yaakov was saying to Eisov the 613 Mitzvot of Ha Torah made me strange to Lavan.  The 613 Mitzvot of  Ha Torah will make me strange to you also!  Yaakov was revealing to Eisov that he was on a high and mysterious level of Torah Observances.  He was saying that these Observances are not only mysterious but they are powerful!  They will help me overcome you!  The Word  Gahr Tee explains their strangeness.  To those in the world it is strange to Observe the 613 Mitzvot of Ha Torah!  

613 = y10 t400 r200 g3

May Hashem Grant us this Strangeness this Foreignness the 613 Mitzvot... the 613 Observances of Ha Torah!  May our Words be like Yaakov's Words.  May our Words send forth Commands / Mitzvot of Ha Torah!  May our actions, our words our deeds be like Yaakov's Words, Actions and Deeds which Created Perfect Angels that do the Will of Hashem!

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Akiva Gamliel