This study of mysticism in Hebrew Gematria is dedicated in the loving memory of Mr. Paul Sakash, may he rest in peace.

Our world can at times be a most trying place. Then there are other times that our world is the center of wonderful experiences and everything that's good. Sometimes we live in the world that is lonely, cold and desolate. Then there are other times when we shift to the happier side of life. The path from good to bad and back to good, from elation to depression and back to elation, from crowds to lonely isolations and back to crowds is like the shifting sands of the ocean.

We have now entered the gate to the year 5,760. That means we are approaching the cycle of Torah that, G-d willing, will carry us successfully through this year. Hopefully we will enjoy the good things in life with real enthusiasm. That is what the first parsha for this year begins with, Enjoying the good things in life.

From G-d's six days of creating we gain a perspective on enjoying the good things in life. In Genesis 1:4 we observe that the Creator of the universe receives special pleasure from the light He created. Let's stop and focus on how light gives us such pleasure for a minute.

The utmost enjoyment is:
The Pleasure of the Revelation of G-d {Enlightenment}
First, the word "light" is "Ohr". Ohr is spelled Aleph (1) on the right, Vav (6) in the middle and Reish (200) on the left. Now let's observe them in their proper order from right to left: 200 = Reish - 6 = Vav - 1 = Aleph "Ohr" was created as a directional word from right to left (see first yellow at top of page). This means that as the letters travel from the right where G-d is, they increase in their numerical value. In the word "Ohr" this is especially significant because the letter on the right is an Aleph. The Aleph represents the one and only G-d, Creator of everything. From this we learn that Ohr emanates from G-d flooding all Creation. The Ohr that Creation experienced on Day One was that of Hashem. It was not sun, moon or starlight. It was not a created light since this light was always in existence. It was the "Revealed Light." G-d chose to reveal Himself in HIs eternal existence. The light of Torah was unwrapped and revealed!

How do we know this? Gematria supports these statements fully. Notice Genesis 1:4, words three and four, Es- Ha-Ohr ("is the light" with an indefinite article that represents the possibility of "everything from Aleph toSav"). Notice the Gematria of these six letters in the first green box at top of page.

We already know 613 represents the total number of laws recorded in the Torah. This is the only place in the Tenach where Es- Ha-Ohr occurs together. It is most significant that Es- Ha-Ohr occurs in the center of the statement, "G-d saw that 'The Light' was good." This is another subject, but very interesting... Light is at the center of all good... Torah mitzvahs are at the center of all good...

Second, the word "Ohr" is the Gematria of 207. Ze Kay Nem, another form of light, the light emanating from the wise, from the elders, shares the exact Gematria of Ohr (please observe the first blue box at top of page). So we have the Ohr emanating from G-d the Creator and we have the light that emanates from the Ze Kay Nem, meaning elders, wise.

The utmost enjoyment is:
The Pleasure of Revealed Prophesies
In Genesis 1:9-10 Hashem makes preparation for sprouts, herbs and fruit trees by commanding Ye Kaw Roo Ha Miyim, meaning: "Let the waters be gathered together" and by commanding Vi Say Raw Eh, meaning: "and let dryness" Hah Yah Baw Shaw, meaning: "be seen."

First, the word Ye Kaw Roo Ha Miyim, meaning: "Let the waters be gathered together" is the Gematria of 777 which many consider to be G-d's number (please see second yellow box at top of page). However the mispar Katan of Ye Kaw Roo Ha Miyim is just 28 (please see second blue box at top of page). In the Mispar Katan we see the prophetic destruction of the world centuries before it actually happens in the word Ve Heh Eh Ved Meaning, "And He Shall Destroy" (please see second green box at top of page).

The utmost pleasure is:
The Enjoyment of the Covenant with G-d the Creator
Second, the word Vi Say Raw Eh, meaning: "and let appear {be seen}" is the Gematria of 612 which is the number of the Gematria of the covenant between Hashem and Kal Yisroel, His people (see third yellow box at top of page). The Bris Milah, meaning covenant {ritual circumcision} is performed on each Jewish male child on the eighth day after birth. It represents the covenant, Bris, (see third blue box at top of page) the agreement, between Hashem and Kal Yisroel. Similarly, the water was removed by G-d's command "Let dryness be seen." The 'foreskin' of water was removed and dry land was seen. This was the establishment of the covenant between G-d the Creator and the dry land through G-d's Word in Creation. In the same way, when the foreskin of an eight day old Jewish male child is removed by circumcision the agreement between G-d and Kal Yisroel is revealed.

We have an additional connection here. For each non Jew who chooses to accept the covenant between G-d and Kal Yisroel by conversion {it is not easy}, a Bris Milah for males is required and immersion for males and females in a kosher Mikvah is required. In other words the pre convert goes 100% under the water of the mikvah then surfaces from the water as a convert to Judaism. The surfacing from the water of the mikvah is like the dry land appearing in evidence of the covenant between the G-d of Yisroel and them.

Now there are two more very deep and very powerful levels of understanding not revealed in this Gematria study of 612. They are truly the topping. Send a contribution to JewishPath and I will reveal them to you! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!

When Hashem reveals prophesy it is an unbelievable pleasure just as understanding the depths of the fine print in the covenant between G-d and His people are. Then the Torah records, "G-d saw it was good."

The utmost pleasure is:
The Enjoyment of Vegetations Created by G-d
We have shared enough Gematria so we will look at some of the simpler enjoyments of G-d's pleasure in creating vegetation...

In Genesis 1:11-13 Hashem commands the earth to bring forth grass, herbs and fruit trees. Hashem specifically observes that grass sprouts, seed-yielding herbs and fruit trees bearing fruit of its own kind are good.

Isn't it interesting that Hashem takes pleasure in Light, Water, Land, Sprouts, Herbs and Fruit Trees and Sunlight? This points us in the direction of what G-d says is good. Water that does not flood the earth, water that does not wash away topsoil, water that does not inhibit growth, water that is contained within boundaries is good. Water that is used as a tool to assist and encourage growth on the land is good. Land prepared for seed is good. Seed planted in the earth is good.

Notice carefully what is written in Genesis 1:29:
"Behold, I have given you {Adam, Eve and their descendants} all seed-yielding herbs {like alfalfa sprouts, radish sprouts, clover sprouts onion sprouts, basil, rosemary, cucumbers, lettuce,...etc.} that are on the surface of the earth, and every tree that has seed-yielding fruit {like apple, cherry, walnut...etc}; to you it shall be food."

Man was not originally permitted to eat or take the life of fish, fowl or animal life. This came about after the flood many centuries later. Man was originally a vegetarian! Again the Torah records "G-d saw it was good."

The utmost pleasure is:
The Enjoyment of the Seasons Created by G-d
Through the Sun and the Moon
In Genesis 1:14-18 Hashem follows preparation of land, water and planting of grass sprouts, herbs and fruit trees with sun, moon and starlight. Yes, the light that encourages vegetation growth to prosper is good. That is for the pleasure of the physical, but the Creation of seasons resulting from the sun and the moon / night and day precipitates pleasure of Shabbos and the many High Holy Days for the spiritual being.

The pleasure resulting from the enjoyment of Shabbos and the Holy Days is connected with the third time in Creation that G-d enjoys what He has created. The Torah records "G-d saw that It was good!"

The utmost pleasure is:
Simply Viewing Fish Life, Fowl Life and Animal Life
Can you imagine a world where cats and dogs got along, where sharks didn't attack , where eagles did not swoop down from the sky or where the king of the jungle, the lion, did not feast on other animals? Originally that is how this world was created. Notice Genesis 1:30. So if in today's world we can receive pleasure from wildlife movies, pictures and magazines can you imagine what it must have been like before the flood? At various places along Interstate 70 going west from Denver to Loveland Pass there are scenic stops. One provides views of buffalo and another of big horn sheep. People are normally crowded around the viewing areas. Why? It is pleasurable to view G-d's Creation in their natural habitat. Is it pleasurable to view a beautiful aquarium?

Next in Genesis 1:20-22 G-d created sea life and fowl and G-d saw that it was good.

Then in Genesis 1:24,25 cattle, creeping things and beasts and G-d saw that it was good.

The utmost pleasure is:
Offering Praise to G-d as the King of the Universe
Genesis 1:29-31 Then G-d created man and G-d gave man all herbage yielding seed and every tree with seed yielding fruit for food. Then G-d saw, behold it was very good.

The ultimate purpose of man's Creation was to guard the earth and work the soil. The ultimate purpose for Jews was to honor G-d's Creation by remembering the Shabbos and by offering praise to G-d by our own free choice whereby we have chosen G-d as King of the Universe. This is why the Jew says, "Blessed are you G-d, King of the Universe..." We choose to bless G-d and His Creation.

The utmost pleasure is:
Observing the Shabbos Day...
Genesis 2:3: G-d completed His creating in six days. G-d blessed the seventh day. G-d sanctified the seventh day.

Many Christian / Messianics have chosen Sunday as their day of rest... Sunday is NOT BLESSED! SUNDAY IS NOT SANCTIFIED! Only Shabbos, the Seventh Day, is Blessed! Only Shabbos is sanctified, separated from all other days. Remember, G-d worked on Sunday and rested on Shabbos.

Sunday does NOT OFFER PRAISE TO THE G-D OF CREATION FOR HIS CREATION! One of the main purposes of the Jew observing Shabbos is to testify to the entire world that G-d created everything in six days then rested on the seventh day. Sunday ignores that witness!

We {Jews} are commanded to "Remember the Shabbos to keep it holy," Exodus 20:8. To us, the Jews, is given the honor and pleasure of keeping the Shabbos "SEPARATED".

The Torah record of Creation begins in Genesis 1:1 and concludes in Genesis 2: 5. This is a total of 480 words. The Gematria of 480 = Sukkah... (see third green box at top of page) Isn't it interesting that at the completion of Sukkos we begin the Torah cycle for the year again? It also means adoos (= evidence).

As we have observed, there are many areas in which we can receive pleasure and enjoy the best of what life has to offer!

Wishing you the best,

Dr. Akiva G. Belk

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