Reishyt (ראשית) – that Hebrew word for "beginning" pops up all over the place. And each time, it carries its own special spark of meaning. But there's one verse in Proverbs that really grabs our attention: "Y”Y has acquired me as the 'beginning' of His way..." (Proverbs 8:22).
Now, the Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, that incredible companion to the Zohar, understands this "beginning" as none other than the Torah itself. Think about it: the Torah, with all its layers of meaning, its cantillation notes guiding our chanting, the vowel points shaping our pronunciation, the very letters themselves, and the sheer weight of mitzvot (commandments), both positive and negative. It's a complete universe, isn't it?
And all of it, the Tikkunei Zohar emphasizes, depends on the Name YHVH (יהוה), the sacred, ineffable Name of God. It's the foundation upon which everything rests.
This connection to the Divine Name goes deep. Remember when Moses asks God His name? God responds, "...this is My Name forever, and this is My memorial unto all generations" (Exodus 3:15). But here’s where it gets truly fascinating. The Tikkunei Zohar delves into the numerical values of the Hebrew words.
ShMY (שמי), "My Name," has a numerical value of 350. Add to that Y-Q (י-ק), which equals 15, and you get 365. That's the number of days in a solar year, and traditionally, the number of negative commandments in the Torah.
And then there's ZiKhRY (זכרי), "My remembrance," with a value of 237. Add V-Q (ו-ק), which equals 11, and you arrive at 248. This number corresponds to the traditionally understood number of positive commandments, and also, interestingly, to the number of bones and major organs in the human body.
What’s the Tikkunei Zohar trying to show us? It’s suggesting a profound connection between the Divine Name, the structure of the Torah, and even the very fabric of creation!
The text goes on to say that the 365 negative commandments originate from the "fearing" of Gevurah, which is often associated with judgment and strength, sometimes even referred to as the "terror of Isaac." So, even the restrictions, the "don'ts," stem from a place of divine power and awe.
It's a powerful image, isn't it? The Torah as the very beginning, intricately woven with the Divine Name, and reflecting the balance between positive and negative, love and judgment. It really makes you think about the depth and complexity hidden within even the simplest-seeming verses. What other secrets are waiting to be uncovered?