Divine insights during the High Holy Days

(courtesy)

My decision to delve deeper into my Jewish heritage and Torah was a profound and soul-stirring journey. I sought not only to participate in rituals but to grasp the essence of Judaism itself. I created a deep relationship with my Creator that is interwoven into all I do.

This quest to unite the finite and infinite, science and spirituality, led me to immerse myself in Torah in communities around the US and now in Israel, with teachers of various backgrounds, from Chabad to Viznitz, Breslov to Yeshivish. The discoveries I made have transformed my perspective and ignited a spiritual flame within me. It’s also an intellectually fascinating pursuit that aligns my mind, body and soul.

The Enigma of Torah Codes

My first exposure to Torah codes was during an Aish Discovery Seminar 16 years ago, and it’s like embarking on a spiritual and intellectual treasure hunt. Through the application of mathematical and computational techniques, hidden messages are discovered within the Hebrew text of the Torah. These messages show how the Torah is divine — message from another world meant to guide our souls while housed in bodies here on earth.

Torah code: “Shabbat” (שבת)

For example, there is a Torah code that reveals the word “Shabbat” (שבת) concealed within the text describing God’s rest on the seventh day of creation. This example is particularly intriguing as it connects a fundamental concept in Judaism with the very beginning of the Torah.

In the book of Genesis, we find the account of the creation of the world. It unfolds over the course of six days, with God creating various aspects of the universe. On the seventh day, God rests from all His creative work, and this day is declared holy. This divine rest marks the beginning of the concept of the Sabbath, or Shabbat, in Jewish tradition.

Now, let’s focus on the specific Torah code within this narrative:

The Hebrew word for “Shabbat” (שבת) consists of three letters: Shin (ש), Bet (ב), and Tav (ת). These letters are strategically placed within the text to form a hidden pattern. When you look closely at the verses describing God’s rest on the seventh day, you’ll notice that the letters Shin, Bet, and Tav appear at equidistant intervals within the words describing God’s actions.

For example, in Genesis 2:2-3 (in Hebrew), it says:

“וַיְכַל אֱלֹהִים בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה וַיִּשְׁבֹּת בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה. וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת-יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ כִּי בוֹ שָׁבַת מִכָּל-מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר-בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים לַעֲשׂוֹת.”

In this passage, the letters Shin, Bet, and Tav (שבת) are equidistantly spaced within the words “וַיְשַׁבֵּת” (meaning “and He rested”) and “בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי” (meaning “on the seventh day”). This hidden pattern forms the word “Shabbat,” signifying the sanctity of the seventh day and foreshadowing its significance in Jewish tradition.

This Torah code is seen as a mystical and meaningful way of reinforcing the importance of Shabbat in Jewish life. It’s as if the very act of God resting on the seventh day is encoded with a message, emphasizing the holiness and special nature of the Sabbath.

The “Hidden Menorah” Code: A Divine Puzzle for Humanity

Another captivating mystery within the Torah is the “Hidden Menorah” code—a puzzle that transcends the boundaries of our finite world and represents a meaningful form of communication from a higher Source.

In this extraordinary code, the Torah appears to hide a seven-branched menorah, a timeless symbol of light, wisdom, and divine presence. It’s a pattern that emerges when we decode the text using a unique method.

Within the Hebrew text of the Torah, the letters are arranged in a grid-like fashion. Imagine it as a vast cosmic puzzle. Researchers who delve into this code use a specific technique known as equidistant letter spacing (ELS). By applying precise intervals between letters, a menorah shape comes to life when reading the text in a particular manner.

For example, starting from a specific letter within the Torah and counting every 49th letter leads to a journey that traces the contours of a Menorah when reading vertically. This pattern carries a profound message—it symbolizes the eternal light and boundless wisdom emanating from the Torah.

What makes the Hidden Menorah code particularly captivating is the idea that it represents a form of communication from beyond our earthly realm. It’s as if someone or something transcendent is trying to reach out to humanity, offering a puzzle that is not only fun but also deeply meaningful. It’s evidence of a divine presence attempting to communicate in a unique and engaging way.

Aliyah: A Journey of the Body and Soul Back Home

For me, making Aliyah was a transformative experience—a pilgrimage that resonated deeply with the concept of Jewish DNA codes within our beings. Just as the Hidden Menorah code within the Torah seems to be a message from a higher source, our Jewish souls and bodies carry a unique code—a spiritual imprint that draws us back to our ancestral home.

Human DNA contains hidden codes or patterns that mirror the letters and content of the Torah. These “divine codes” within DNA are another reflection of a higher, spiritual order, showing a connection between the fundamental building blocks of life and our sacred text.

The act of Aliyah, the return to the Holy Land, is like plugging into a divine network, guided by the ultimate codifier. It’s a profound connection between our earthly existence and our infinitely spiritual essense.

As we step onto the sacred soil of Israel, it’s as if we’re aligning ourselves with the encoded destiny of our Jewish DNA. We become part of a living tapestry, a continuation of a story that began with our ancestors thousands of years ago. It’s a remarkable testament to the enduring bond between the Jewish people and our homeland, guided by the divine hand that encoded this sacred connection into our very essence.

High Holy Days: A Time for Reflection and Renewal

I’m writing this during a profoundly significant period in the Jewish calendar: the High Holy Days. This season, which falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, is like to a spiritual rebirth. It provides us with an opportunity for self-reflection, inviting us to delve into life’s profound questions. Why are we here? What is our mission? And how can we infuse our lives with greater love, joy, and passion, both in our professional pursuits and personal endeavors?

Rediscovery in the New Year (Through a Jewish Lens)

In light of the New Year, how can we reconnect and realign ourselves with the infinite, guided by Jewish principles? Here are three strategies:

1. Moments of Contemplation: Dedicate a few moments each day to contemplate your purpose and values. Consider what truly matters to you and how you can infuse your life with deeper meaning, love, and joy. Then write it down. 
2. Embrace Shabbat, Even in Simplicity: Shabbat offers a special opportunity to set aside work and screens, even if you’re not fully observant. Light the Shabbat candles, share a meal, and savor the sacredness of the moment. It is a beautiful way to separate the mundane from the holy and elevate your life.
3. Acts of Kindness–Repairing the World and Our Souls: In Jewish tradition, the concept of Tikkun Olam, or repairing the world, goes hand in hand with another powerful idea—Tikkun Hanefesh, which means repairing the soul. These intertwined concepts remind us that the transformation of the world begins within ourselves. Do something nice for yourself today. Go for a walk, get your favorite food. Then share a smile with a stranger.

My journey into Judaism and my Aliyah experience have deepened my appreciation for the Torah and its hidden treasures. During these High Holy Days, as we engage in introspection and renewal, the concept of Torah codes assumes new significance.

These divine codes provide a unique perspective within our faith, guiding our souls as we strive to live with purpose, love, joy, and unwavering passion. 

There’s a loving Creator always guiding us. Even in our lonliest, darkest moments, this infinite source just wants us to ask for help. No matter how far we think we may have gone, returning is always just one thought, one decision away.

As it says in Deuteronomy 30:19-20:

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days.”

(courtesy)