01-17-2008, 07:17 AM
B"H
I plan to make this my last post of this week. For those of you who have not read my post on the Seven Laws of Noah, I encourage you to read it. I have greatly enjoyed my first few days on this forum. It is a good forum. I am glad to have found it. I plan to rest a while until Sunday.
I am going to undertake a discussion of an opinion that will be displeasing to many of you. I have placed it in "Misc Interests" because I want it as a fun discussion. I do not want this as "advocacy," so I am putting it here under the interests section and not news or the like. I am going to discuss numerical symbolism, why I believe that numbers have symbolic meanings. I already know that a sizable number of people will disagree with this, and I certainly welcome free thought, free speech, and free discussion. Let me state my belief that numbers are symbolic, a view that modern rationalist mathematicians largely do not hold, but one that ancient, medieval and early modern mathematicians believed with a fervent passion.
Part of my tendency toward patterns of behavior that might put me outside of the norm is a fixation on numbers. Numbers on license plates, numbers on walls, and geometric symbols will all register in my brain. While driving, I break license plate numbers down in to prime factors. Don't worry, I'm paying attention to the road! ("If you don't like my driving, stay off the number-line!") I am just laying my cards out on the table. And, frankly, as I have stated in other parts of this forum, I do not believe that I have a "syndrome." I believe that this is a Gift.
It is a Gift because numbers do have significance. Even rationalist mathematicians acknowledge that there is a hierarchy in the set of numbers. Natural numbers are the basis of our modern mathematical systems. Without a distinct set of natural numbers, we do not have an understanding of rational numbers. Without rational numbers, we do not have an understanding of the greater infinity of real numbers. (For a discussion of "greater infinity", Google in "Cantor", "levels of infinity," and "set theory".) And, without natural numbers, we do not have an understanding of countable versus transcendental numbers. In other words, we cannot say that all numbers are the same, even by the standards of modern mathematics. Natural numbers are the basis of our system of mathematics, and are thus privileged over fractions, irrational numbers, and even negative numbers in that sense. Zero deserves its own conversation...
Even among numbers that are not rational, some appear more often than others. Pi, e and the Golden Mean appear all throughout math. Pi and e are transcendental, i.e. uncountable, but they still appear in math, physics, and computer science. Why? Why these numbers? And, among natural numbers we have perfect numbers, triangular numbers, Fibonacci numbers, and all sorts of awesome numbers that, frankly, I am in awe.
Like most rationalists, I am a mathematical Platonist. I believe that numbers exist. But, when I suggest the possibility that numbers have a spiritual significance, most mathematicians laugh. Many rationalists will join with "Fundamentalist" Christians and lambaste all discussion of number symbolism. Both will equate this concept with numerology. Rationalists call it "unscientific," while Fundamentalists consider it anti-religious. Yet, numerical significance need not degenerate in to numerology. Neither secularists nor Fundamentalists are big on tolerance, as a rule (with notable exceptions). I notice that the former often make generalizations about what "science" says, while the latter often do not read their religious sources.
From a Hebraic tradition, letters and numbers are one in the same. Hebrew is a mathematical language. Some Jewish scientists who accept both Genesis and the Big Bang view each Biblical day as logarithmic. I am not too familiar with their system, but it seems to make a degree of sense. Most Orthodox Jews reject the Big Bang and evolution with a passion. Yet, not all are so adamant. Personally, I think that it is remarkable that the Universe begins with t=0, a singularity. Even Stephen Hawkins does not completely deny this. Only steady-staters deny this. Einstein's greater blunder was to deny the Big Bang, a denial inspired by a denial of Genesis!
OK, I digress. Again, Hebrew is a mathematical language. What are "Seven Days" to G-d? Seven is a prime number. It is the fourth prime number. 4 is the square of the first prime. (One is not considered a prime at this point) I believe that 7 is symbolic of a "foundational" reality (Please see my post on the Seven Laws of Noah). Material Creation is foundational. Yet, when the Messianic Age dawns, according to Hebraic tradition, the 7 becomes 8. In a sense, we have "8" days. And, if we look at the Jubilee Year, 50 years, we have 7 squared plus one. We have one more than a multiple of 7,
50 mod 7=1
We have "one more" than a foundational reality. And, seven itself is "one more" than six, a perfect number (sum of all of its divisors, including one).
Does 7 literally become 8? I believe that this is symbolism, again. The Universe ceases to be foundational at its consummation in the Divine. William Blake wanted to cleanse the doors of perception and see the infinite in all things. Yet, he was never able to. For every Song of Innocence, there was a Song of Experience. He tried, but could not cleanse himself, because it is only through Torah Mitzvot that the Seven becomes Eight. Romantic poets were not big on Torah Mitzvot, to be sure, preferring western individualism. They were awesome word-smiths, but they could not find the hidden symbolism that they so eagerly worked to find because so many looked outside of where it is really found.
Only when man is humble will the seven become the eight. Exalted man will not find it. Only humble people will find Miracles. Will the 8 LITERALLY be 7, a prime number after 6, in those days? I doubt it. Rather, what we will see is the regeneration of a cycle, just as 8 is one more than 7, (8 mod 7=1). I believe that Autistic/Aspies will have our role to play in this regeneration of the world, somehow. Israeli Orthodox mystical Rabbis consult Autistic children:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/F...spx/130317
How different than America where electro-shock treatment is afforded, instead of respect! There is a spiritual power in the Gifts we have been given, if we but acknowledge them.
Numerology is a power of impurity. I do not recommend getting in to deriving power from numbers. That is the path that leads downward toward the animal soul. I do not deny that a number can be a sign, but I do not advocate initiating that sign---certainly not for some form of occult power. Rather, I believe that we can see numerical patterns such as the Fibonacci Sequence, e, or even the basic first ten cardinal numbers, as signs of a Design. That is my opinion. Thank you for reading this. I appreciate your time, if not universal agreement. I do not claim that this article is anything more than an opinion. It does not represent an official Rabbinical Source.
I give glory to the One True G-d, as all Glory is His.
A True Monotheist
Hillel says, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?" Ethics of the Fathers, 1:14
I plan to make this my last post of this week. For those of you who have not read my post on the Seven Laws of Noah, I encourage you to read it. I have greatly enjoyed my first few days on this forum. It is a good forum. I am glad to have found it. I plan to rest a while until Sunday.
I am going to undertake a discussion of an opinion that will be displeasing to many of you. I have placed it in "Misc Interests" because I want it as a fun discussion. I do not want this as "advocacy," so I am putting it here under the interests section and not news or the like. I am going to discuss numerical symbolism, why I believe that numbers have symbolic meanings. I already know that a sizable number of people will disagree with this, and I certainly welcome free thought, free speech, and free discussion. Let me state my belief that numbers are symbolic, a view that modern rationalist mathematicians largely do not hold, but one that ancient, medieval and early modern mathematicians believed with a fervent passion.
Part of my tendency toward patterns of behavior that might put me outside of the norm is a fixation on numbers. Numbers on license plates, numbers on walls, and geometric symbols will all register in my brain. While driving, I break license plate numbers down in to prime factors. Don't worry, I'm paying attention to the road! ("If you don't like my driving, stay off the number-line!") I am just laying my cards out on the table. And, frankly, as I have stated in other parts of this forum, I do not believe that I have a "syndrome." I believe that this is a Gift.
It is a Gift because numbers do have significance. Even rationalist mathematicians acknowledge that there is a hierarchy in the set of numbers. Natural numbers are the basis of our modern mathematical systems. Without a distinct set of natural numbers, we do not have an understanding of rational numbers. Without rational numbers, we do not have an understanding of the greater infinity of real numbers. (For a discussion of "greater infinity", Google in "Cantor", "levels of infinity," and "set theory".) And, without natural numbers, we do not have an understanding of countable versus transcendental numbers. In other words, we cannot say that all numbers are the same, even by the standards of modern mathematics. Natural numbers are the basis of our system of mathematics, and are thus privileged over fractions, irrational numbers, and even negative numbers in that sense. Zero deserves its own conversation...
Even among numbers that are not rational, some appear more often than others. Pi, e and the Golden Mean appear all throughout math. Pi and e are transcendental, i.e. uncountable, but they still appear in math, physics, and computer science. Why? Why these numbers? And, among natural numbers we have perfect numbers, triangular numbers, Fibonacci numbers, and all sorts of awesome numbers that, frankly, I am in awe.
Like most rationalists, I am a mathematical Platonist. I believe that numbers exist. But, when I suggest the possibility that numbers have a spiritual significance, most mathematicians laugh. Many rationalists will join with "Fundamentalist" Christians and lambaste all discussion of number symbolism. Both will equate this concept with numerology. Rationalists call it "unscientific," while Fundamentalists consider it anti-religious. Yet, numerical significance need not degenerate in to numerology. Neither secularists nor Fundamentalists are big on tolerance, as a rule (with notable exceptions). I notice that the former often make generalizations about what "science" says, while the latter often do not read their religious sources.
From a Hebraic tradition, letters and numbers are one in the same. Hebrew is a mathematical language. Some Jewish scientists who accept both Genesis and the Big Bang view each Biblical day as logarithmic. I am not too familiar with their system, but it seems to make a degree of sense. Most Orthodox Jews reject the Big Bang and evolution with a passion. Yet, not all are so adamant. Personally, I think that it is remarkable that the Universe begins with t=0, a singularity. Even Stephen Hawkins does not completely deny this. Only steady-staters deny this. Einstein's greater blunder was to deny the Big Bang, a denial inspired by a denial of Genesis!
OK, I digress. Again, Hebrew is a mathematical language. What are "Seven Days" to G-d? Seven is a prime number. It is the fourth prime number. 4 is the square of the first prime. (One is not considered a prime at this point) I believe that 7 is symbolic of a "foundational" reality (Please see my post on the Seven Laws of Noah). Material Creation is foundational. Yet, when the Messianic Age dawns, according to Hebraic tradition, the 7 becomes 8. In a sense, we have "8" days. And, if we look at the Jubilee Year, 50 years, we have 7 squared plus one. We have one more than a multiple of 7,
50 mod 7=1
We have "one more" than a foundational reality. And, seven itself is "one more" than six, a perfect number (sum of all of its divisors, including one).
Does 7 literally become 8? I believe that this is symbolism, again. The Universe ceases to be foundational at its consummation in the Divine. William Blake wanted to cleanse the doors of perception and see the infinite in all things. Yet, he was never able to. For every Song of Innocence, there was a Song of Experience. He tried, but could not cleanse himself, because it is only through Torah Mitzvot that the Seven becomes Eight. Romantic poets were not big on Torah Mitzvot, to be sure, preferring western individualism. They were awesome word-smiths, but they could not find the hidden symbolism that they so eagerly worked to find because so many looked outside of where it is really found.
Only when man is humble will the seven become the eight. Exalted man will not find it. Only humble people will find Miracles. Will the 8 LITERALLY be 7, a prime number after 6, in those days? I doubt it. Rather, what we will see is the regeneration of a cycle, just as 8 is one more than 7, (8 mod 7=1). I believe that Autistic/Aspies will have our role to play in this regeneration of the world, somehow. Israeli Orthodox mystical Rabbis consult Autistic children:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/F...spx/130317
How different than America where electro-shock treatment is afforded, instead of respect! There is a spiritual power in the Gifts we have been given, if we but acknowledge them.
Numerology is a power of impurity. I do not recommend getting in to deriving power from numbers. That is the path that leads downward toward the animal soul. I do not deny that a number can be a sign, but I do not advocate initiating that sign---certainly not for some form of occult power. Rather, I believe that we can see numerical patterns such as the Fibonacci Sequence, e, or even the basic first ten cardinal numbers, as signs of a Design. That is my opinion. Thank you for reading this. I appreciate your time, if not universal agreement. I do not claim that this article is anything more than an opinion. It does not represent an official Rabbinical Source.
I give glory to the One True G-d, as all Glory is His.
A True Monotheist
Hillel says, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?" Ethics of the Fathers, 1:14