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True Wisdom

As before Genesis 1:1 has Gematria of 2701 = 37×73
Both 37 and 73 are the Gematrias of "WISDOM".

True wisdom is connected to holiness.

The Torah commands (Lev.19:2): "you shall be holy" (קדשים תהיו)
= 3×7×73 (expanded gematria[6])

And in the Talmud:
"if the Rabbi appears like an angel of G-d (i.e. a holy man), seek Torah from his mouth, but if not - do not seek torah from his mouth" (Moed Katan 17a).

Interestingly, the Hebrew word "Chachmah" (wisdom) appears in FIRST LETTERS in the verse:

"and my master has wisdom like the wisdom of an angel
of G-d to know all that is on the earth" (Samuel II 14:20)
וַאדֹנִ֣י חָכָ֗ם כְּחָכְמַת֙ מַלְאַ֣ךְ הָאֱ-לֹהִ֔ים לָדַ֖עַת אֶֽת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּאָֽרֶץ
  ח כ מ ה  
      in the words "wisdom like the wisdom of an angel of G-d":
 (wisdom) חכמה FIRST Letters:      
For only when wisdom is accompanied with holiness is it true wisdom.

And in Duties of the Heart (Gate 3 chapter 9):
"The mystery of your being is that the Creator created you out of nothing... and His purpose is to exalt you and elevate you to the high degree of His treasured ones - the chosen and elect who are nearest to the light of His glory - for your good and as a kindness towards you. But you will only be worthy of this favor when three conditions have been fulfilled. The first is the removal of the curtain of folly from yourself so that He may enlighten you with the gift of His knowledge..." - Duties of the Heart, Gate 3 chapter 9
Man's job is to remove the Klipot (evil, foolishness) which blinds his eyes and then he will attain true wisdom and see G-d everywhere.

We have seen many hints of this concept previously: A person can be a brilliant scientist, an Einstein, yet he fails to see the obvious right in front of his eyes as brought in the book "Hapinkas of Rabbi Aharon Y.L. Shteinman" zt'l, pg.192
He spoke how the Yetzer Hara (evil inclination) blinds the eyes. For, in truth, the doctors should be the biggest believers (maaminim). How much wisdom is contained in the eye! Millions of cells and if G-d forbid, something is blocked - wonder of wonders, the brain, the eyes. They should be moved to believe in the Creator of the world. But we see it is exactly the opposite (b'diyuk hafuch). This does not interest them. For the Yetzer (evil inclination) is enormously powerful.

Let us now explore a bit the realm of the Evil Inclination. At the same time, this will give us a glimpse into the world of hints hidden in the first/last letters of the torah.

As before, the opening letter Beit is the 2nd letter and points to a duality in the creation - both good and evil were created in the world to provide room for man's free will.

Introduction to Samael

a glimpse into the realm of first/last letter skip codes

(note: one should never pronounce these names verbally. say instead just "Samech-Mem")

The Genesis creation account contains many fundamental lessons such as the existence of G-d, the existence of prophecy, centrality of man, free will, reward and punishment - all things every human being must know and recognize. The narrative there also teaches on the existence of the Evil Inclination (symbolized by the serpent) and how it tries to topple man through the woman (Sefer Ikarim)

Interestingly, the Hebrew word for the Yetzer (Evil Inclination) appears in END LETTERS on the verse:
 
"but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, G-d has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die'" (Genesis 3:3)
וּמִפְּרִ֣י הָעֵץ֘ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּתֽוֹךְ־הַגָּן֒ אָמַ֣ר אֱ-לֹהִ֗ים לֹ֤א תֹֽאכְלוּ֙ מִמֶּ֔נּוּ וְלֹ֥א תִגְּע֖וּ בּ֑וֹ פֶּן־תְּמֻתֽוּן
י צ ר  
      in the beginning of the verse:
 (Yetzer/[evil] inclination) יצר END Letters:      
 
The hint is wondrous. For the root of the Yetzer inside man stems from Adam's eating of the forbidden fruit of the "tree of knowledge". Its great temptation was chiefly in that it was forbidden, as in the verse:

"Stolen water becomes sweet.."
(Mishlei/Proverbs 9:17)
מַֽיִם גְּנוּבִ֥ים יִמְתָּ֑קוּ
םםו Last Letters:
Gematria=86=Elokim      
Notice, the last letters has Gematria = 86 (Elokim). This hints that one should consider the end of the matter when tempted by the Yetzer on the illusionary sweetness of forbidden things, namely, the Judgment of Elokim (G-d).

The name of the Evil Inclination is "Samael" (Zohar, Tikun 21), aka the Satan, aka the "angel of death", aka the "master of the Sitra Achra" (forces of evil).

The name "Samael" (סמאל) comes from the Hebrew word סמא (blind, see Avodat Yisrael, Avot ch.3). For Samael's job is to BLIND the eyes of human beings, making evil appear good and vice versa, as the Ramchal writes:
"This true counsel could not have been given nor could its truth be recognized except by those who had already gone out of the hands of their evil inclination and ruled over it. For one who is still held captive in the prison of his evil inclination - his eyes do not see this truth, and he is incapable of recognizing it. For the evil inclination literally blinds his eyes. He is like one walking in darkness, where there are stumbling blocks before him but his eyes do not see them.." - Path of the Just ch.3
Samael's name appears in ONE UNIQUE INSTANCE in the entire Tanach (Bible) in Roshei Teivot (first letters).

In Isaiah 47:15 which speaks of the astrologers and sorcerers with whom the Israelites strayed after (as known, witchcraft and sorcery are from the powers of the Sitra Achra (forces of evil), the domain of Samael)
 
"those [astrologers and sorcerers] with whom you have labored, your traffickers from youth;
Each strays off to his own way. There is no one to save you" (Isaiah 47:15)
כֵּ֥ן הָֽיוּ־לָ֖ךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָגָ֑עַתְּ סֹֽחֲרַ֣יִךְ מִנְּעוּרַ֗יִךְ אישׁ לְעֶבְרוֹ֙ תָּע֔וּ אֵ֖ין מֽוֹשִׁיעֵֽךְ
  ס מ א ל  
      in the words "your traffickers from youth; Each strays off to his own way":
 (Samael) סמאל FIRST Letters:      
Thus, it was Samael, the evil inclination, who enticed the people to stray after the sorcerers and now "each strayed to his way.."

Samael appears in the "Roshei Teivot" (FIRST LETTERS). For he FIRST manifests as the evil inclination to entice people to stray after his evil advice making it appear good. He also makes people forget G-d and instead to seek the astrologers and sorcerers of his times.

The Angel of Death

After enticing people to evil, Samael prosecutes as the Satan and if given permission, he manifests as the angel of death (see Job ch.1, Pirkei D'Rebbi Eliezer ch.46) to slay the sinner.

Thus his name appears in the END LETTERS as the angel of death (since this happens AFTER the enticing stage).

Here too the name Samael appears in ONE UNIQUE INSTANCE in Sofei Teivot (end letters) in the entire Tanach (Bible).

In the book of Jeremiah:
"he shall strike them by the edge of the sword;
he shall not show them mercy, nor pity nor compassion" (Jeremiah 21:7)
וְהִכָּ֣ם לְפִי־חֶ֔רֶב לֹֽא יָח֣וּס עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וְלֹ֥א יַחְמֹ֖ל וְלֹ֥א יְרַחֵֽם
  ס ם א ל  
     (Samael) סמאל Last Letters:      

And in the Zohar (Parsha Nasso):
"Then the Angel of Death appears (to the dying person in a spiritual vision), it descends and stands at his feet with a sharp sword in his hand. The person lifts his eyes and sees the house walls radiant with fire. At the same time, he sees him, full of eyes, dressed in burning fire in front of him...and the length of his body is from one end of the world to the other..."

Interestingly, there are also two instances for Samael out of order in the Tanach (Bible) which RELATE TO CRUELTY.

In Isaiah 13:18
"With their bows [and arrows] they will kill the young men.
They will show no mercy to babies and take no pity on children" (Isaiah 13:18)
וּקְשָׁת֖וֹת נְעָרִ֣ים תְּרַטַּ֑שְׁנָה וּפְרִי־בֶ֙טֶן֙ לֹ֣א יְרַחֵ֔מוּ עַל בָּנִ֖ים לֹֽא תָח֥וּס עֵינָֽם
  ל ם א ס  
      in the words "no pity on children":
 (Samael) סמאל Last Letters:      

The second out of order instance is in Lamentations/Eicha 2:17
"The L-ord has done what He planned;
He has fulfilled His word which He ordained long ago,
[and] has destroyed [Jerusalem] without mercy" (Eicha 2:17)
ועָשָׂ֨ה יְ-הֹוָ֜ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר זָמָ֗ם בִּצַּ֤ע אֶמְרָתוֹ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוָּ֣ה מִֽימֵי קֶ֔דֶם הָרַ֖ס וְלֹ֣א חָמָ֑ל
  ם ס א ל
      "has destroyed [Jerusalem] without mercy":
 (Samael) סמאל Last Letters:      
This hints that the agent used to execute the decree of destruction was the angel of death, Samael.

Master of the Sitra Achra

Samael is also the master of the Sitra Achra (forces of evil). According to the Zohar, he has a female counterpart called Lilith. The two of them rule the dark realm of the Sitra Achra (other-side, forces of evil).

In the talmud: "Rabbi Chanina says: it is forbidden to sleep in a house alone; whoever does so is seized by Lilith" (Shabbat 151b)
(the forces of evil were much more openly manifest back then)

In Kabala, Samael and Lilith are the counterparts to the male and female aspects of the Divine (Shechinah). For G-d created parallel structures of good and evil in the creation.[4]

Interestingly, the two names Samael and Lilith are hinted in the Torah itself.

In Exodus/Shmot 28:32 regarding the "cloak" of the high priest:
"its opening (mouth) shall have a border (lip) around it, the work of a weaver.
It shall have [an opening] like the opening of a coat of armor;
it shall not be torn" (Exodus/Shemot 28:32)
וְהָיָ֥ה פִֽי־רֹאשׁ֖וֹ בְּתוֹכ֑וֹ שָׂפָ֡ה יִֽהְיֶה֩ לְפִ֨יו סָבִ֜יב מַֽעֲשֵׂ֣ה אֹרֵ֗ג כְּפִ֥י תַחְרָ֛א יִֽהְיֶה לּ֖וֹ לֹ֥א יִקָּרֵֽעַ
  ם ס א ל   ת י ל י ל
 סמאל
(Samael)		כפילילית
(Lilith)
first letters Samael/Lilith separated by the holy name: כפי (Kapi)

Interestingly, the holy name "Kapi" appears in Shemot/Exodus 33:22:
"And it shall be that when My glory passes by, I will place you into the cleft of the rock,
and I will cover you with My hand (Kapi) until I have passed by" (Exodus/Shemot 33:22)
וְהָיָה֙ בַּֽעֲבֹ֣ר כְּבֹדִ֔י וְשַׂמְתִּ֖יךָ בְּנִקְרַ֣ת הַצּ֑וּר וְשַׂכֹּתִ֥י כַפִּ֛י עָלֶ֖יךָ עַד־עָבְרִֽי

Rashi there comments cryptically: "and I will cover you with My hand (Kapi)" - From here [we understand] that power was given to destructive forces to destroy (Num. Rabbah 14:19).

For when the holy name "kapi"[1] is uncovered and removed from between the klipot (i.e. Samael and Lilith), their power to destroy is unleashed.

Interestingly, the Baal HaTurim comments on the above verse of the cloak:
Baal HaTurim - "its opening (mouth) shall have a border (lip) around it" - "the cloak atones for lashon hara (evil speech/slander). If one sinned by uttering evil speech, let him make a lip to his mouth, i.e. to refrain from evil speech and repent and this will atone for him". end quote.

Thus, it seems Lashon Hara (evil speech) unleashes the power of Samael and Lilith to prosecute and destroy (generally speaking, all sins give strength to them, but apparently, evil speech is especially potent).

Interestingly, Lilith's name appears in the torah ONE UNIQUE TIME IN ORDER in end letters[2] (first letters there are no instances in order) and it refers again to the cloak:
"And they made on the bottom hem of the cloak pomegranates of blue, purple, and finely twisted crimson wool;
And they made bells of pure gold and attached them around the hem between the pomegranates" (Shemot/Exodus 39:24)
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ֙ עַל שׁוּלֵ֣י הַמְּעִ֔יל רִמּוֹנֵ֕י תְּכֵ֥לֶת וְאַרְגָּמָ֖ן וְתוֹלַ֣עַת שָׁנִ֑י מָשְׁזָֽר
  ל י ל י ת  
      (Lilith) לילית Last Letters:
again regarding the cloak of the high priest
unique instance      

According to the talmud (Zevachim 88b), the gold bells on the cloak of the high priest atoned for the sin of evil speech. As before, speaking with an evil tongue rouses Lilith to prosecute and unleash destruction. Measure for measure, she is granted permission to speak evil and prosecute.

Leviathan

In the book of Isaiah (27:1): "On that day, the L-ord shall bring judgment with His great and strong sword on leviathan the barlike serpent, and upon leviathan the crooked serpent..". According to the Kabalah, these two "leviathan" serpents are a reference to Samael and Lilith (Pardes Rimonim shaar temurot, Zohar 265a).

Interestingly, the word "Leviathan" appears one unique time in the Tanach/Bible in end letters (no instances in first letters), and it is again regarding the gold bells of the high priest:
"And on its bottom hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and crimson wool, on its bottom hem all around, and golden bells in their midst all around" (Exodus 28:33)
וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ עַל שׁוּלָ֗יו רִמֹּנֵי֙ תְּכֵ֤לֶת וְאַרְגָּמָן֙ וְתוֹלַ֣עַת שָׁנִ֔י עַל־שׁוּלָ֖יו סָבִ֑יב וּפַֽעֲמֹנֵ֥י זָהָ֛ב בְּתוֹכָ֖ם סָבִֽיב
  ל ו י ת ן  
 לויתן = (leviathan)
again regarding the cloak of the high priest
 
As before, the leviathan serpent draws its power from evil speech. This was the job of the primordial serpent in the story of Adam and Eve who slandered G-d causing them to sin. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for slander appears one unique time in the Torah. In the story of Adam and Eve:
 
And G-d said, "Who told you that you are naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" (Genesis 3:11)
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר מִ֚י הִגִּ֣יד לְךָ֔ כִּ֥י עֵירֹ֖ם אָ֑תָּה הֲמִן הָעֵ֗ץ אֲשֶׁ֧ר צִוִּיתִ֛יךָ לְבִלְתִּ֥י אֲכָל מִמֶּ֖נּוּ אָכָֽלְתָּ
 רכילות = (slander)
regarding Adam and Eve and the primordial serpent

Destroyer

According to the Talmud (Shabbat 55a), the "Angel of Death" has assistants such as the "destroying angel" (Mashchit). When unleashed, his nature is to strike down all whom he encounters (Exodus 12:23, see also: Samuel II 24:16, Isaiah 54:16, Chronicles I 21:15).

The "Mashchit" (Destroyer) appears in ONE UNIQUE INSTANCE in the entire Tanach (Bible) in end letters (no instances exist in first letters):
 
"I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth
so that you will be mute and unable to rebuke them, and not be to them a rebuker for they are a rebellious house" (Ezekiel 3:26)
וּלְשֽׁוֹנְךָ֙ אַדְבִּ֣יק אֶל־חִכֶּ֔ךָ וְנֶֽאֱלַ֔מְתָּ וְלֹא־תִֽהְיֶ֥ה לָהֶ֖ם לְאִ֣ישׁ מוֹכִ֑יחַ כִּ֛י בֵּ֥ית מְרִ֖י הֵֽמָּה
  מ ש ח י ת  
 משחית = (destroyer)
      after the words "I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be mute and [there will] not be":
 משחית (the Destroyer) LAST Letters:      
unique instance in the entire Tanach (bible)

As if to say: "I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be mute and there will not be [the Destroyer]".

וּלְשֽׁוֹנְךָ֙ אַדְבִּ֣יק אֶל־חִכֶּ֔ךָ וְנֶֽאֱלַ֔מְתָּ וְלֹא־תִֽהְיֶ֥ה [ משחית ]

As before, evil speech unleashes the power of the Sitra Achra to prosecute and destroy. And in the Talmud: "what should a person's occupation be in this world? He should render himself as a mute" (Chulin 89a)[3].

Thus, if a person doesn't have anything good to say, best to guard one's tongue. This is especially so when giving rebuke[5]. For rebuking someone who will not listen only makes him more rebellious (as in the above verse).

Let us look at some more examples...

Handwashing

Interestingly, in the Talmud:
"Why is mayim acharonim (handwashing at the end of the meal) obligatory? This is due to Sodom salt, which blinds the eyes" (Eiruvin 17b)

Interestingly, the name of the king of Sodom was "Berah" (Gen.14:2) which means Beit-Rah, i.e. "2x evil" as Rashi brings the Midrash there: "he was evil to Heaven and evil to people".

The name of the evil inclination is also "evil" (Sukkah 52a). Thus, the king of Sodom has the same name as the "Evil Inclination" who is Samael.

Interestingly, the name Samael is hinted in the verse speaking of the king of Sodom:
"And the king of Sodom came out toward him, after his return from smiting Chedorlaomer
and the kings who were with him" (Gen.14:17)
וַיֵּצֵ֣א מֶֽלֶךְ סְדֹם֘ לִקְרָאתוֹ֒ אַֽחֲרֵ֣י שׁוּב֗וֹ מֵֽהַכּוֹת֙ אֶת־כְּדָרְלָעֹ֔מֶר
  מ ס ל א  
 סמאל=
      in the words "And the king of Sodom came out toward him after":
 סמאל (Samael) FIRST Letters:      
As before, the Mayim Acharonim (handwashing after a meal) is to "remove the Sodom salt from the fingers which blinds the eyes". This fits nicely with the view of the Kabalists that the Mayim Acharonim is in order to remove the Sitra Achra from the table (Arizal, Shaar Mitzvot, parsha Eikev) and as before the Sitra Achra blinds the eyes from good and evil. Thus, the Kabalistic interpretation is in line with the plain meaning.

Bribe Blinds the Eyes

Interestingly, in the verse:
"And to Sarah he said, 'Behold I have given a thousand pieces of silver to your brother;
behold it is to you a covering of the eyes for all who are with you'" (Gen.20:16)
וּלְשָׂרָ֣ה אָמַ֗ר הִנֵּ֨ה נָתַ֜תִּי אֶ֤לֶף כֶּ֨סֶף֙ לְאָחִ֔יךְ הִנֵּ֤ה הוּא־לָךְ֙ כְּס֣וּת עֵינַ֔יִם לְכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתָּ֑ךְ וְאֵ֥ת כֹּ֖ל וְנֹכָֽחַת
      a seven letter skip from "covering of the eyes"
(Samael) סמאל
A seven letter skip is in the secret of the 7 Sefirot of Tumah. The reason it is hinted in a verse speaking on money which "covers the eyes" is because "a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise" (Devarim 16:19). For one of the primary ways the Yetzer Hara entices people is through desire for money. Through this lust, he blinds the eyes of men and places them on incessant labor throughout their lives (see Path of the Just ch.5) (note this is the only such 7 letter skip in the torah).

Interestingly, at the end of the creation account (Genesis 1:31), "G-d sees that everything He had made was VERY GOOD". According to the Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni), "good" refers to the "Angel of Life", while "VERY GOOD" refers to the "ANGEL OF DEATH".

The plain meaning is that death makes a person think about his purpose in this world. This Midrash also hints to the secret to happiness in life. When a person is satisfied with the "GOOD" he has - this is the angel of life. But if he always seeks the "VERY GOOD", i.e. more money, more pleasures, etc. etc. this is not life but death (R.Yitzchak Sorotzkin). He is then a slave of Samael and the endless rat race for more money, more honor, more power, etc. etc.

King Sichon

The name Samael also appears in a four letter skip in the Torah regarding the Emorite king Sichon:
"Israel sent messengers to Sihon the king of the Emorites, saying" (Bamidbar/Numbers 21:21)
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מַלְאָכִ֔ים אֶל סִיחֹ֥ן מֶֽלֶךְ הָֽאֱמֹרִ֖י לֵאמֹֽר
סמאל= four letter skip

And again a 3 letter skip backwards from the same exact letter also gives Samael.
"Israel sent messengers to Sihon the king of the Amorites, saying" (Bamidbar/Numbers 21:21)
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מַלְאָכִ֔ים אֶלסִיחֹ֥ן מֶֽלֶךְ הָֽאֱמֹרִ֖י לֵאמֹֽר
סמאל= three letter skip backwards

And yet again a third time from the exact same letter out of order:
"Israel sent messengers to Sihon the king of the Amorites, saying" (Bamidbar/Numbers 21:21)
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מַלְאָכִ֔י ם אֶל סִיחֹ֥ן מֶֽלֶךְ־הָֽאֱמֹרִ֖י לֵאמֹֽר
סמאל= consecutive letters

In the book Meorei Ohr (Maharam Paparush, maarechet samech): "Sichon is called 'Samael'..".

Likewise, the Talmud in Bava Batra 78b expounds Sichon to be alluding to the Yetzer Hara (evil inclination), namely, the word "Sichon" hints to the enticement of being drawn after "Sicha Naeh" (useless chatter instead of torah study). There it also refers to not considering the great "Cheshbono Shel Olam" (accounting of the world), namely, the loss of a mitzvah against its rewards and the loss of a sin against its reward (see there). Indeed, most people go through life without stopping to consider why they are here and what is their final end.

And in the Path of the Just (ch.3), this exact talmud source is brought:
Our sages of blessed memory taught us explicitly the need for this accounting as they said (Bava Batra 78b): " 'therefore the rulers said, let us enter into an accounting' (Numbers 21:27). Therefore the rulers - of their [evil] inclinations said come and consider the accounting of the world - the loss incurred by doing a mitzva against the gain earned through it, and the gain obtained by doing a sin against the loss incurred... For they already experienced, saw and learned, that THIS ALONE is the true path leading a man to the good which he seeks, and that there is none other besides this. (see there)

As before, Samael blinds the eyes making good appear evil and vice versa. He also instils an additional type of blindness, namely, to not FEEL what one knows to be true. Even if one knows good and evil, but the knowledge stays dry in the intellect and does not reach the eyes of the heart. Thus, it won't affect him in the least. The solution to this is to vividly review the great "accounting of the world" frequently until one feels it and sees its truth in his heart - only then will it begin to affect him.

Cloak of High Priest and Tzitzit

As mentioned above, the verse which speaks of the Me'il (cloak) of the High Priest has the name of Samael and Lilith together. This is because the Me'il (cloak) of the High Priest had the power to disperse the Sitra Achra and cause separation between them (Midrash Pliah in name of Korban Ani).

In the Tikunei Zohar (Tikun 10), the Tzitzit are compared to the Me'il. For the Tzitzit also serve to protect their wearer from the Sitra Achra.

The Arizal writes in Shaar Ruach Hakodesh (Tikun 14) that the Tzitzit also serve to shield from the Sitra Achra. For the word "Knaf" which refers to the Tzitzit has the same Gematria as Kaas (anger). It is known that anger is the enclothing of the Sitra Achra in a man. as written in the Zohar (Tetzave 182a) and likewise in the Talmud (Shab.105): "what is the 'strange god' in the body of man?.." (see there) When a person gets angry, the Sitra Achra possesses him and part of his intellectual soul leaves him. This is why his thinking is impaired then and he is capable of great destruction (the degree of possession is according to the intensity of anger).

Sadness and Joy

As known, one of the main ways the Yetzer entices a person is through sadness. When a person feels down and dejected, he becomes a customer of the Yetzer and his cheap thrills (R.Avigdor Miller zt'l). Thus, one needs to work on serving G-d with joy and be especially careful when he feels down. This is hinted in the verse:
 
"And no man shall be in the Tabernacle when the high priest goes in to make atonement in the Holy Place [within the veil], until he comes out, so that he may make atonement for himself, for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel" (Vayikra/Levit.16:17)
וְכָל־אָדָ֞ם לֹא־יִֽהְיֶ֣ה בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֗ד בְּבֹא֛וֹ לְכַפֵּ֥ר בַּקֹּ֖דֶשׁ עַד צֵאת֑וֹ וְכִפֶּ֤ר בַּֽעֲדוֹ֙ וּבְעַ֣ד בֵּית֔וֹ וּבְעַ֖ד כָּל־קְהַ֥ל יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
  ב ל ב ע צ ו ב  
 בלב עצוב= (with a sad heart)
      after the words "And no man shall be in the Tabernacle":
 בלב עצוב (with a Sad Heart) FIRST Letters:      
unique instance in the entire Tanach (bible)

As if to say: "And no man shall be in the Tabernacle [with a sad heart]".

It seems this was hinted on the Yom Kippur service, since even then when one is fasting, confessing, and repenting on his sins, and there is heavy-headedness, nevertheless, it should all be with joy in the heart.

Interestingly, when Avraham was doing kindness to wayfarers despite his being in pain from the circumcision, it is written:
"And Abraham hastened to the tent to Sarah, and he said,
'Hasten three seah of meal [and] fine flour;
knead and make cakes'" (Gen. 18:6)
וַיְמַהֵ֧ר אַבְרָהָ֛ם הָאֹ֖הֱלָה אֶל־שָׂרָ֑ה וַיֹּ֗אמֶר מַֽהֲרִ֞י שְׁל֤שׁ סְאִים֙ קֶ֣מַח סֹ֔לֶת ל֖וּשִׁי וַֽעֲשִׂ֥י עֻגֽוֹת
  ש מ ח  
     (Joyous) שמח Last Letters:      

For he was joyous to do the will of his Maker (Rabeinu Efraim, quoted by Chida in Nachal Kedumim).

According to Rabbi Mendel Weinbach zt'l:
"The Imerei Tal brings the Zohar of how important it is to learn torah b'simcha (with joy). the yetzer tov (good inclination) and yetzer hara (evil inclination) are not static forces. They're capable of growing in power. It all depends whether you do a mitzva b'simcha (with joy) and thus increase the power of the yetzer tov (good inclination) or ch''v find diversions of the yetzer hara and do that b'simcha (with joy) and give him power" - from ohr.edu/2154
Interestingly, the GEMATRIA (numerical value) of Samael + Lilith = 131 + 480 = 611 = TORAH.
Gematria of Samael + Lilith = Torah
ת ו ר ה   ל י ל י ת   ס מ א ל
400 6 200 5   30 10 30 10 400   60 40 1 30
(Torah) 611 = (Lilith) 480 + (Samael) 131

This hints that the only way to defeat them is through torah, as our sages bring down: "[G-d said:] 'I have created the evil inclination, and I have created the Torah as its antidote'" (Kidushin 30b). For "the light in it brings them back to the good" (Eicha Raba 2), i.e. heals and illuminates the eyes. As known, the less torah a person has, the more he is completely blind to the true path.

Once a person's eyes are illuminated and he can see the snares of Samael the serpent - "TORAH BRINGS TO WATCHFULNESS" (Path of the Just there quoting the Talmud in Avodah Zara 20b).

Namely, to watch oneself constantly, before doing or saying anything to ask oneself: "Is this the advice of the evil inclination (Samael)? Is it in line with the Torah?" This is called "WATCHFULNESS" (Zehirut).

Interestingly, the Hebrew word for "Watchfulness" (Zehirut) appears ONE UNIQUE time in the entire Tanach (Bible, First Letters, there are zero instances for end letters).

In the book of Genesis regarding the PRIMORDIAL SERPENT which symbolizes the evil inclination:
"And I will put enmity between you (the serpent) and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he will crush your head, and you will bite his heel " (Genesis 3:15)
וְאֵיבָ֣ה אָשִׁ֗ית בֵּֽינְךָ֙ וּבֵ֣ין הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה וּבֵ֥ין זַֽרְעֲךָ֖ וּבֵ֣ין זַרְעָ֑הּ ה֚וּא יְשֽׁוּפְךָ֣ רֹ֔אשׁ וְאַתָּ֖ה תְּשׁוּפֶ֥נּוּ עָקֵֽב
  ז ה י ר ו ת  
  זהירות= (watchfulness)
      after the words "her offspring; He will crush your head, And you (the serpent) will bite [his heel]":
 זהירות (Watchfulness) FIRST Letters:      
unique instance in the entire Tanach (bible)

As if to say: "[Watchfulness of] your heel (Eikev)".

For as is known from parsha Eikev (Deut.7:12, see Rashi there), the heel refers to the small day to day mitzvot which everyone tramples with their heels. This is where Samael lurks in ambush to bite a man's heel and make him stumble. He waits and slithers out from his place in the darkness. But when a man considers his ways, he disappears back into the shadows again.

The Shofar

This is the purpose for blowing the SHOFAR (ram's horn) on Rosh Hashanah - to awaken a person from the spiritual slumber induced by Samael and urge him to consider his ways. Interestingly, the word "Shofar" appears one unique time in first letters (no instances in end letters).
"there is no Satan nor evil occurrence"
(Melachim/Kings I 5:18)
אֵ֣ין שָׂטָ֔ן וְאֵ֖ין פֶּ֥גַע רָֽע
      in the words "there is no Satan nor evil occurence":
 שופר (SHOFAR) FIRST Letters:      
unique instance in the entire Tanach (Bible)

Interestingly, the word Teshuva (repentance) appears one unique time in the Tanach (Bible) in first letters (no instances in last letters). In the book of Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah):
"blow the Shofar in Tekoa and raise a signal over Beth Haccerem;
For evil is visible out of the north, and great destruction" (Jeremiah 6:1)
תִּקְע֣וּ שׁוֹפָ֔ר וְעַל בֵּ֥ית הַכֶּ֖רֶם שְׂא֣וּ מַשְׂאֵ֑ת כִּ֥י רָעָ֛ה נִשְׁקְפָ֥ה מִצָּפ֖וֹן וְשֶׁ֥בֶר גָּדֽוֹל
      in the words "blow the Shofar..":
 תשובה (Teshuva/repentance) FIRST Letters:      
unique instance in the entire Tanach (Bible)

One also needs to go against his natural selfishness by working on acts of kindness, the opposite of the trait of the king of Sodom who instituted laws against kindness (Midrash) and was the antagonists of Abraham, the pillar of kindliness.

"Love your fellow as yourself" (Lev.19:18) - this is the fundamental principle of the Torah (Talmud Yerushalmi, Nedarim 30b). Furthermore, it is the yesod (foundation) of the Torah upon which the entire Torah is based. The commandment of comforting mourners, visiting the sick, bringing joy to a groom and bride, don't slander, don't steal, don't hate, etc. etc. are all aspects of the mitzvah to love your fellow (R.Yosef Braun).

Most findings in this section on the first/end letters are from the book Niflaot MiToratecha, by R.Aharon Aronovski

We end off with a hint from Moshe Rabeinu (Moses):
"only be certain to obey the voice of the L-ORD your G-d, carefully observe
all of these commands that I am commanding to you today" (Devarim/Deuteronomy 15:5)
רַ֚ק אִם שָׁמ֣וֹעַ תִּשְׁמַ֔ע בְּק֖וֹל יְ-הֹוָ֣ה אֱ-לֹהֶ֑יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֤ר לַֽעֲשׂוֹת֙ אֶת־כָּל־הַמִּצְוָ֣ה הַזֹּ֔את אֲשֶׁ֛ר אָֽנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ הַיּֽוֹם
ר א ש ת ב י  
בראשית
(Bereisheit)		  
      in the words "only be certain to obey the voice of the L-ORD":
 (Bereisheit) בראשית FIRST Letters:      
 
Notice the first letters spell "Bereisheit" (in the beginning) out of order. There are no instances in order in the entire Tanach (Bible) except for Genesis 1:1 itself.

As before, the opening word "Bereisheit" contains the entire Torah in summary form.

Similarly, Shlomo (Solomon), the man of Chochma (wisdom) ended off: "The end of the matter, everything having been heard, fear G-d and keep His commandments, for this is all of man" (Kohelet/Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Interestingly, as before the opening letter Beit is a summary of the whole Torah. The Top line represents Heaven (the spiritual) while the bottom line represents Earth (physical). The connecting line is man's job to connect the two.

Notice the connecting LINE is on the RIGHT SIDE which represents the side of holiness. Through Torah which was given on the right, man joins and brings down holiness from above to below. All this is from the right side for there is the good inclination in man's heart. But from the LEFT SIDE where the evil inclination resides, there is no connecting line on the Beit. This hints man should not join the left side. For by doing bad things, man joins and brings down impure forces thereby granting strength to Samael to blind him and conquer his pure soul. Indeed the word Samael is very related to the word left (Semol) in Hebrew (R.Moshe Shapiro, quoting Siach Yitzchak 2 from Torah HaGra).

"Strengthen yourselves, and He will give your heart courage, all who hope to G-d" (Tehilim/Psalms 31:25)
חִזְקוּ וְיַֽאֲמֵ֣ץ לְבַבְכֶ֑ם כָּל־הַֽ֜מְיַֽחֲלִ֗ים לַֽי-הֹוָֽה
Gematria of the verse = 611 (Torah)
(unique instance in all Tanach/Bible)

notice also: בראשית = שב תריא   ("sit 611", i.e. sit and learn!)
 


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