Seasonings of Wisdom
A special branch of Torah wisdom and its secrets is found in contemplating word/letter comparisons which reveal new insights and concepts. The Mishna tells us (Avot 3:18), "Rabbi Eliezer ben Chisma said: The laws of bird-offerings, and the laws regarding the beginning of the menstrual periods – these are essential laws; astronomy and mathematics (gematira – numerology) are like the seasonings of wisdom." The essential laws are the actual wisdom of the Torah, while engaging in astronomy and gematriot can be compared to an outer garment for that wisdom.
The Gemara (Shabbat 105a) refers to this category of Torah, the source for which is found in this week's Parshah:
"How do we know that abbreviations are from the Torah? As it says, 'כי אב המון גויים נתתיך - For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations' (Bereishit 17:5). אב– I have made you a father of the nations; בחור– you are the chosen one of the nations; המון חביב– you are My beloved among the nations; מלך– you are a king over the nations; ותיק– among the nations you are the one who is modest and loves mitzvot; נאמן – you are faithful among the nations."
According to Rabbi Eliezer son of R' Yosi Hagelili, abbreviations are one of the thirty-two ways in which Torah can be expounded. Indeed, the Gemara rules a significant number of laws using abbreviations.
As an example, the Ba'alei Hatosfot (Berachot 51b) bring a proof that one must sit – and not stand – while reciting Birkat Hamazon (Grace after meals) from the words, " ואכלת ושבעת וברכת– And you shall eat and you shall be satisfied and you shall bless Hashem, your G-d." The word ושבעת (you shall be satisfied) can be split up into ושב– and sit, )עת )וברכת– while you bless. This alludes to the fact that one must sit during Birkat Hamazon.
Chazal also accord much weight to gematria and make use of this wisdom, often using it to find a connection between the Written and Oral Law. For example, the tradition passed down from the time of Moshe Rabbeinu that the period of abstention for the Nazirite is thirty days, is expounded from the words קדוש יהיה– holy shall he be, since the numerical value of יהיה is thirty.
Gematria is usually an arithmetic calculation of existing data, comparing two things with the same numerical value that are logical and true, even excluding their identical gematria. The wisdom of gematria is referred to as parpara'ot – seasonings of the Torah, for they draw the heart to the wisdom concealed in the Torah which hides behind an identical number value, even though the gematria itself is only numerical and not spoken language.
In his introduction to Sefer Bereishit, the Ramban refers to the wisdom and value of gematria:
"We have a valid tradition that the entire Torah is made up of the names of Hashem, since the words can be split up into words of a different meaning. For example, the verse – In the beginning of בראשית ברא אלקים G-d's creating, can be divided up into different words, for example בראש יתברא אלקים. The entire Torah is like this, in addition to the combinations and numerical value of the words."
Throughout the generations, our Sages engaged in this wisdom to a significant extent and used it to reveal hidden Torah concepts, for their times and for future generations, which shed new light on both halachic and moral details.
The significant technological advances witnessed by our generation have led to the development of computer programs through which one can easily access the numerical value of a certain idea, and find matches identical in content to a specific Torah concept. It reveals complex calculations and unlimited mathematical codes.
