Let\u2019s take a couple of small excursions here before we go on. Our first:<\/p>\n
Why is BaN<\/em> (representing 2+50) not termed \u201cNaB<\/em>\u201d (representing 50+2), so that like AV<\/em> (representing 70+2), SaG<\/em> (representing 60+3), and MaH<\/em> (representing 40+5), its ten\u2019s place numeral would come before its one\u2019s place numeral? The short answer is because if it were termed NaB<\/em> (representing 50+2) then it wouldn\u2019t equal 9 in \u201cthe small number gematria\u201d value.<\/p>\n The \u201csmall number gematria value\u201d comes down to this: were I to add 2+4+6 I\u2019d of course arrive at 12. If I were to add the 1 and 2 of the figure 12 I\u2019d arrived at just now, I\u2019d then arrive at the number 3, which is the \u201csmall number gematria\u201d value of the original 2+4+6 (i.e., 2+4+6=12=3).<\/p>\n So, just as AV<\/em>\u2019s 72 is 7+2=9, SaG\u2019s <\/em>63 is 6+3=9, and MaH<\/em>\u2019s 45 is 4+5=9 — BaN<\/em>\u2019s 52 is 2+700=9 in \u201csmall number gematria value\u201d (given that the final letter Nun<\/em> is worth 700), whereas it would be worth only 7 (5+2) if it read NaB<\/em> (Midrash<\/em> Peliah<\/em> 163).<\/p>\n Why would they need to each be worth 9? According to that same source, that\u2019s because that represents the nine major components of each Partzuf<\/em> which is then completed by its tenth — it\u2019s Malchut<\/em>; or because the word for truth (emet<\/em>) also has the \u201cthe small number gematria\u201d value of 9 (1+40+400=9).<\/p>\n We\u2019re not told there why either factor is important per<\/em> se<\/em>, but we\u2019d surmise that the point is that each of the names, AV<\/em>, SaG<\/em>, etc. should have the same \u201cvalence\u201d or potency. The other point might be that NaB<\/em> is also an abbreviation of Nishmato<\/em> B\u2019Eden<\/em> (so-and-so, \u201cwhose soul is Heaven\u201d; i.e., R.I.P.) or Nirah<\/em> B\u2019eini<\/em> (\u201cit appears to me\u201d i.e., \u201cin my humble opinion\u201d), which would then cause reading problems in various contexts.<\/p>\n (c) 2012 Rabbi Yaakov Feldman<\/p>\n Feel free to contact me at feldman@torah.org<\/a><\/p>\n ———————————————————-<\/p>\n AT LONG LAST! Rabbi Feldman’s translation of Maimonides’ “Eight Chapters” is available here<\/a> at a discount.<\/p>\n You can still purchase a copy of Rabbi Feldman’s translation of “The Gates of Repentance” here<\/a> at a discount as well.<\/p>\n Rabbi Yaakov Feldman has also translated and commented upon “The Path of the Just” and “The Duties of the Heart” (Jason Aronson Publishers).<\/p>\n Rabbi Feldman also offers two free e-mail classes on www.torah.org entitled “Spiritual Excellence<\/a>\u201d and \u201cRamchal<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Let\u2019s take a couple of small excursions here before we go on. Our first: Why is BaN (representing 2+50) not termed \u201cNaB\u201d (representing 50+2), so that like AV (representing 70+2), SaG (representing 60+3), and MaH (representing 40+5), its ten\u2019s place … Continue reading