OHR SOMAYACH'S ASK THE RABBI
Issue #277 June 10, 2000
Shavuot / Parshat Naso (in Israel)
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In this issue:
SIX SIX SIX
HOW MUCH DOES A PENTECOST?
WHO KNOWS 17?
PUBLIC DOMAIN
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SIX SIX SIX

From:  Prof.  Zev bar-Lev,
Dept. of Linguistics & Oriental Languages
in San Diego State University
<zbarlev@mail.sdsu.edu>

Dear Rabbi,
You recently wrote:  "The numerical value of "Meah Shearim" is 666, a
number which has esoteric and kabbalistic meaning in Judaism, as
indicated by the Vilna Gaon in his commentary to the Zohar."  Now
you've got me curious:  In American media, I only hear of 666 for its
mystic significance in Christianity -- a negative meaning, associated
with "Satan."  So what is the mystic significance of 666 in Judaism?

From:  M. Brinn in Greenville, SC
<MRBrinn2@aol.com>

Dear Rabbi,
Could you tell us more about the kabalistic meaning of 666?  I live in
a community with a large conservative Christian presence.  Recently
there was a big uproar over a supermarket's ad campaign because they
believed the numbers 666 were hidden within.  Thank you.

Dear Professor Bar-Lev and M. Brinn,
Oh, I can't tell you the answer to your question....It's a mystical
secret!

Just kidding.  Sort of.  The truth is that the key to mystical secrets
are not in any book, they're in your heart.  Even if someone "reveals"
a "kabbalistic secret," it remains a secret as long as you are not
able to understand it.  (So have no fear:  The secrets of Kabbala are
perfectly safe with Madonna.)  But I will explain as much as I know on
the subject:

The number 666 has significance as the numerical value of the Hebrew
verse:  "Ata yigdal na koach Ado-nai -- Now, I pray, let the Power of
my Lord be great."  (Numbers 14:17).  This was Moshe's prayer invoking
Divine Mercy on behalf of the Jewish People.

"Mosad Hayesod" cites the Vilna Gaon's commentary on the Zohar that
"the number 666 contains hidden within it exalted and lofty messianic
potential."  No other explanation is offered there.

We do know that the number six represents the physical world.  The
Torah describes the creation of the universe as a six part, six day,
process.  Our ancient sources describe the universe as emanating in
six directions -- north, south, east, west, up, down -- from a central
point.  All physical space and all physical objects have these six
dimensions.

666 is six repeated three times.  Repeating a concept three times
represents the affirmation and strength of that concept.  The number
666 could thus represent the strength and perfection of the physical
world, which Judaism teaches will occur in the messianic era, when the
physical world will reach its ultimate purpose, to be a vehicle
through which the created experience the Creator.

Sources:
* Mosad Hayesod pp. 204-205
* Rabbi Dovid Rossoff, author of "Where Heaven Touches Earth,"
Guardian Press

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HOW MUCH DOES A PENTECOST?

Name@Withheld wrote:

Dear Rabbi,
Does Pentecost mean Shavuot?

Sort of.  Pentecost is Greek for "the fiftieth day."  It's a non-
Jewish term for our Shavuot holiday, which occurs 50 days after
Passover.

We call it Shavuot, meaning "weeks."  The Torah tells us to count
"seven weeks" after Passover and then to celebrate a holiday.

Whatever you call it, Shavuot is not given a specific calendar date in
the Torah, but instead is designated as being a certain number of days
from Passover.  This emphasizes the fact that Passover and Shavuot are
not separate holidays; they are connected.

What's the connection between Passover and Shavuot?  Freedom.
Passover is freedom from Egypt; Shavuot is freedom from inner evil.
Shavuot celebrates the Torah and the commandments we were taught at
Mount Sinai.  The Torah teaches us how to conquer the enemy within;
the commandments turn all our talents and actions toward doing good.

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WHO KNOWS 17?

In the song at the end of the Pesach Seder we describe the
significance of the numbers from one to 13 as they relate to Jewish
life and thought:  "Three are the fathers, Four are the Mothers...12 are
the Tribes of Israel..." What about the next 13 numbers?  And after
those?  What significance do they have in Jewish tradition?

This week we challenge you to answer:

"Who knows 17?"

Write to <info@ohr.org.il>

Here are some reader responses regarding previous numbers:

The Mishna in Pirkei Avos (5:25)  states "a 15 year old begins the
study of Gemara."
                                     Jacob Floran
                                     <jflorans@trebnet.com>

Fifteen is the number of words in the blessing we say over the Yom Tov
candles.
                                     Yehuda Avrunin
                                     <jaa23@cornell.edu>

The 16th of Nissan is day the day the Omer was brought and the new
grain is allowed.  There are 16 strings on a Tallis (4 strings,
doubled over, on each corner).
                                     Sidney Stern, Highland Park NJ
                                     <Sid.Stern@ProcessPlants.BOC.com>

The day in Nisan that permits new wheat.  The day we brought the Omer
offering and start "counting the Omer."
                                     Levy Van Leeuwen
                                     <levyvan@netvision.net.il>

Sixteen adanim (sockets) at the east side of the Mishkan (Exodus
26:25).
                                     Raffi
                                     <raffias@shaam.gov.il>

The Ta'z, the Turei Zahav (Ta'z is gematria 16; this is stretching
it).
                                     Haim Roman, Jerusalem
                                     <roman@megila.jct.ac.il>

Minimum width of reshus harabim -- public domain:  16 amos (cubits).
                                     Zvi Freund, Kew Gardens, NY
                                     <zvifreund@juno.com>

Quoting from your January 16, '99 issue of "Ask the Rabbi":   Which
verse in the Torah has all the letters of the Aleph Beis?   Answer:
Exodus 16:16.
                                     Randall Rowlett, MD
                                     <Psyetc@compuserve.com>

Sixteen descendants of Zilpah who went down to Mitzraim (Egypt).
                                     Michael Turniansky
                                     <turnip@bcpl.net>

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THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
Comments, quibbles, and reactions
concerning previous "Ask-the-Rabbi" features

Re: MOTHER SUPERIOR (http://www.ohrnet.org/ask/ask275.htm#Q3):

In your recent posting, you wrote about a 52 year old woman who
learned that her maternal grandmother was Jewish and had been orphaned
and raised as a Catholic.  You answered that, since Judaism follows
the mother, she and her children are Jewish.

Thanks for answering this.  I am in the same situation; and so is the
priest at our church who was orphaned.
                                     Shaw
                                     <ksc8@concentric.net>

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