01-28-2008, 06:28 AM
B"H
Hello. Thank you for reading my post. I would like to discuss some potential objections to the belief in Hebrew numeric symbolism that I have previously discussed. I want to consider potential arguments against the belief in Hebrew number symbolism and attempt to address them. Firstly, I would like to say that I do not consider Hebrew numerical symbolism to be "numerology." Numerology, in my opinion, is something different entirely. Numerology is a deception, a snare. Number symbolism, by contrast, does not attempt to derive personal power through numbers, an advantage over the world. Rather, it attempts to understand the things of God, the Heavenly King, and not the glorification of the ego. The ego is the ultimate prison, for "Aspies", Neuro-typicals, or anyone else.
The Hebrew language is mathematical. Each letter is a number. If one is going to understand the Hebrew Bible, one had better understand its numerical system. For someone who believes in the Hebrew Bible, it is very imperative that this person understand Hebrew numerics. For someone who does not believe in the Hebrew Bible, one should at least understand what is a key to understanding Talmudic and Kabbalistic thought, both of which have shaped the modern world in more ways than most people realize.
Thus, I respect Hebrew number symbolism. I believe that it is interpretive, not to be taken dogmatically, but an important key to hermeneutics. Let me address the three objections to Hebrew number symbolism that I find most common. The first is the rationalist argument. The second is a political argument. The third is a religious argument. Please let me list them in order:
1) The rationalist argument against Hebrew numerics is that it is pre-modern, or else "irrational." This argument varies. Rationalist mathematical Platonists will concede that some numbers do have special significance, such as e, i, pi, phi, Fibonacci numbers, Triangular numbers, etc. Yet, they look askance on those who would say that 8 has a special spiritual power to it. Their Pythagorean forebears had no such compunction, but most modern mathematicians would.
Followers of non-Platonist mathematical models are going to be even more stringent in their belief that numbers have no special significance. Yet, the tangible realities of nature are such that numbers *DO* have special significance. Even the transcendental number Pi has significance. It is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to the diameter. If that is not a special significance, then I cannot say what is. And, natural numbers have a special significance. They are the basis of counting objects. They are also the basis of rational numbers.
The rationalist would be more honest to say that he or she follows a different numerical system than the religious person. E=MC^2 is definitely an equation with power. It unleashes energy that can eviscerate cities. And, Einstein came to this conclusion before there was any experimental evidence. It is one thing to say that one does not believe in something without experimental evidence. I can respect that, and would probably expect it of a scientific mind. It is another thing, however, to argue that numbers have no special meaning while simultaneously upholding one's own set of numerical symbolisms. It is especially interesting when one calls a belief "unscientific" while never presenting scientific evidence for one's own belief that all of Nature *MUST* be bound by physical laws, at all times, without exception.
It would be better for rationalists to admit that they have philosophical and aesthetic reasons for disagreeing with a certain philosophy. I can respect those who honestly hold to a scientific rationalist philosophy, but when certain scientists call a belief "unscientific" without gathering evidence they are engaging in hypocrisy.
2) Let me now address the political argument. There are those who believe that Kabballah is a system of thought held to by certain powerful people who have misused it. Those people will often claim that what is really being promoted is something dark, particularly given the immoral entertainers who have advanced what is considered "Kabballah." That is where there must be a clarification. There is real Kabballah, and then there is a lot of fakery. There is a certain entertainer who is "in to" Kabballah. She has misled generations of young people in to hedonistic lifestyles. And, it is right of critics of Kabballah to point out that Rabbis have not been loud enough in saying "no" to this woman.
There needs to be a distinction made between real Kabballah, real number symbolism, and false "Q"abballah, coupled as it is with numerology. The latter is a marketing scheme. It is promoted by New Age bookstores who want to make money. New Age marketers do not want to promote "that tired Old Testament" Jewish religion, with its prohibitions against homosexuality, abortion, and its Kosher Laws. Rather, they want something that will sell. Non-judgmental religion sells well. True Jewish religion, true Christian religion, true Native American religions, true Eastern and Sufi religions all teach that there is a Right Way to live. Clever counterfeits are therefore developed that will have the forms of these religions, but which soothe the conscience in a way that is spiritually dangerous.
Centuries ago certain powerful men developed a clever counterfeit to Judaism called "Christian Kabballah." At least that is what it was called. These "Christian Kabbalists" have had very secret agendas. However, to call what these men believe truly "Christian" would be misleading, as Alex Jones' excellent video "Endgame" and Chris Pinto's "Secret Mysteries" video series both point out. Men of great wealth have indeed used numerology, and have suffered spiritually in their souls. Indeed, there is darkness out there. We can only look at the recent "subprime loan" crisis, the fact that an increasing amount of American land is now held by German and other foreign banks thanks to shady loans, to know that there is a real danger to our freedom afoot.
However, we must remember that true Servants of G-d should not be confused with those with selfish agendas. Unlocking an understanding of the Torah is necessary at this time. The world is spiraling out of control at an alarming rate. It is especially alarming at a time when the Iron Curtain is rising again (Ezekiel 38 & 39), siding with Iran and other rogue powers. It is necessary that people begin to find spiritual peace.
3) The final argument I wish to address is the Christian argument. Judaism is superceded by the Cross, most Christians will argue, making Hebrew numerics unnecessary. I do not wish to make this a discussion about Christianity or theology. I could care less for a discussion about who the Messiah will be at this point. There is enough of that on other forums. Personally, I would rather stay clear of it---way clear of it. What I can say is that Christians would have to grapple with the very book that they call the "New Testament."
If you are a Christian, and do believe in the New Testament, then you would have to grapple with the fact that the Magi were able to find the person you believe is "savior." Now, I do not advocate the belief system of the Magi...not in the least. However, they are found in the book that you believe is added to the Bible by God. And, you also have to face the fact that in Revelations one is told that those with understanding would know evil is afoot by knowing its number (Rev. 13:18). Number symbolism is clearly a key to wisdom, while numerology is something to rightly reject.
Now, my Christian friends---and I do hope I can call you friends---I want to be very clear about something. You are right to fear jumping in to something potentially demonic. It *IS* potentially demonic, because what God created for good can be misused, as I stated above. Do not delve in to Hebrew numerics because it is interesting. This is warning I give to all of you. I am not here to promote your exploration of it for interest sake, as there is great danger in that. Leave the exploration of it to those with a spiritual commission to explore the subject. Rather, I am asking you to have respect for it if you are a Christian who does believe in the "Old Testament."
Again, let me reiterate to all of you, I am not asking you to get in to exploring a world that can mislead you if you are not properly trained. It is not a joke. Respect it, but leave it alone unless you are Divinely Guided. What is important, however, is that you *NOT* be misled by false Prophets and false philosophies. Most of the men who have misled humanity have been spiritual confusers. From H*tler to P*l Pot, most men who have misled the world have had great personal charisma. They will confuse you, and disturb your spiritual peace. Often, they will attempt to get you angry and upset. That is where you need spiritual balance. That spiritual balance will become more and more necessary in the years ahead.
Regular prayer and meditation are key to that balance. I hope that enough of you practice those things. And, do not be mislead by false philosophies. All claims, including mine, need to be tested and not accepted because they sound good. My point here is simply to validate what I believe a certain way, not to convince others to explore what I believe. When I speak of mathematical symbolism, I am speaking of a complex reality that cannot be simplified too easily, and which is a snare for those who are simply interested in it, or who want the power. Better for them to practice regular prayer and meditation. Some day, perhaps, the deeper meanings will appear to them on their own terms.
All the best to you and yours this week. I see that elections are coming up. Personally, I do not see a candidate other than John Edwards that I would really be excited about. Even Edwards I would not agree with on everything, but I think that he's a good man. The rest seem like politicians to me. Oh well, that is what election seasons are about---politicians! G-d bless you all.
Hello. Thank you for reading my post. I would like to discuss some potential objections to the belief in Hebrew numeric symbolism that I have previously discussed. I want to consider potential arguments against the belief in Hebrew number symbolism and attempt to address them. Firstly, I would like to say that I do not consider Hebrew numerical symbolism to be "numerology." Numerology, in my opinion, is something different entirely. Numerology is a deception, a snare. Number symbolism, by contrast, does not attempt to derive personal power through numbers, an advantage over the world. Rather, it attempts to understand the things of God, the Heavenly King, and not the glorification of the ego. The ego is the ultimate prison, for "Aspies", Neuro-typicals, or anyone else.
The Hebrew language is mathematical. Each letter is a number. If one is going to understand the Hebrew Bible, one had better understand its numerical system. For someone who believes in the Hebrew Bible, it is very imperative that this person understand Hebrew numerics. For someone who does not believe in the Hebrew Bible, one should at least understand what is a key to understanding Talmudic and Kabbalistic thought, both of which have shaped the modern world in more ways than most people realize.
Thus, I respect Hebrew number symbolism. I believe that it is interpretive, not to be taken dogmatically, but an important key to hermeneutics. Let me address the three objections to Hebrew number symbolism that I find most common. The first is the rationalist argument. The second is a political argument. The third is a religious argument. Please let me list them in order:
1) The rationalist argument against Hebrew numerics is that it is pre-modern, or else "irrational." This argument varies. Rationalist mathematical Platonists will concede that some numbers do have special significance, such as e, i, pi, phi, Fibonacci numbers, Triangular numbers, etc. Yet, they look askance on those who would say that 8 has a special spiritual power to it. Their Pythagorean forebears had no such compunction, but most modern mathematicians would.
Followers of non-Platonist mathematical models are going to be even more stringent in their belief that numbers have no special significance. Yet, the tangible realities of nature are such that numbers *DO* have special significance. Even the transcendental number Pi has significance. It is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to the diameter. If that is not a special significance, then I cannot say what is. And, natural numbers have a special significance. They are the basis of counting objects. They are also the basis of rational numbers.
The rationalist would be more honest to say that he or she follows a different numerical system than the religious person. E=MC^2 is definitely an equation with power. It unleashes energy that can eviscerate cities. And, Einstein came to this conclusion before there was any experimental evidence. It is one thing to say that one does not believe in something without experimental evidence. I can respect that, and would probably expect it of a scientific mind. It is another thing, however, to argue that numbers have no special meaning while simultaneously upholding one's own set of numerical symbolisms. It is especially interesting when one calls a belief "unscientific" while never presenting scientific evidence for one's own belief that all of Nature *MUST* be bound by physical laws, at all times, without exception.
It would be better for rationalists to admit that they have philosophical and aesthetic reasons for disagreeing with a certain philosophy. I can respect those who honestly hold to a scientific rationalist philosophy, but when certain scientists call a belief "unscientific" without gathering evidence they are engaging in hypocrisy.
2) Let me now address the political argument. There are those who believe that Kabballah is a system of thought held to by certain powerful people who have misused it. Those people will often claim that what is really being promoted is something dark, particularly given the immoral entertainers who have advanced what is considered "Kabballah." That is where there must be a clarification. There is real Kabballah, and then there is a lot of fakery. There is a certain entertainer who is "in to" Kabballah. She has misled generations of young people in to hedonistic lifestyles. And, it is right of critics of Kabballah to point out that Rabbis have not been loud enough in saying "no" to this woman.
There needs to be a distinction made between real Kabballah, real number symbolism, and false "Q"abballah, coupled as it is with numerology. The latter is a marketing scheme. It is promoted by New Age bookstores who want to make money. New Age marketers do not want to promote "that tired Old Testament" Jewish religion, with its prohibitions against homosexuality, abortion, and its Kosher Laws. Rather, they want something that will sell. Non-judgmental religion sells well. True Jewish religion, true Christian religion, true Native American religions, true Eastern and Sufi religions all teach that there is a Right Way to live. Clever counterfeits are therefore developed that will have the forms of these religions, but which soothe the conscience in a way that is spiritually dangerous.
Centuries ago certain powerful men developed a clever counterfeit to Judaism called "Christian Kabballah." At least that is what it was called. These "Christian Kabbalists" have had very secret agendas. However, to call what these men believe truly "Christian" would be misleading, as Alex Jones' excellent video "Endgame" and Chris Pinto's "Secret Mysteries" video series both point out. Men of great wealth have indeed used numerology, and have suffered spiritually in their souls. Indeed, there is darkness out there. We can only look at the recent "subprime loan" crisis, the fact that an increasing amount of American land is now held by German and other foreign banks thanks to shady loans, to know that there is a real danger to our freedom afoot.
However, we must remember that true Servants of G-d should not be confused with those with selfish agendas. Unlocking an understanding of the Torah is necessary at this time. The world is spiraling out of control at an alarming rate. It is especially alarming at a time when the Iron Curtain is rising again (Ezekiel 38 & 39), siding with Iran and other rogue powers. It is necessary that people begin to find spiritual peace.
3) The final argument I wish to address is the Christian argument. Judaism is superceded by the Cross, most Christians will argue, making Hebrew numerics unnecessary. I do not wish to make this a discussion about Christianity or theology. I could care less for a discussion about who the Messiah will be at this point. There is enough of that on other forums. Personally, I would rather stay clear of it---way clear of it. What I can say is that Christians would have to grapple with the very book that they call the "New Testament."
If you are a Christian, and do believe in the New Testament, then you would have to grapple with the fact that the Magi were able to find the person you believe is "savior." Now, I do not advocate the belief system of the Magi...not in the least. However, they are found in the book that you believe is added to the Bible by God. And, you also have to face the fact that in Revelations one is told that those with understanding would know evil is afoot by knowing its number (Rev. 13:18). Number symbolism is clearly a key to wisdom, while numerology is something to rightly reject.
Now, my Christian friends---and I do hope I can call you friends---I want to be very clear about something. You are right to fear jumping in to something potentially demonic. It *IS* potentially demonic, because what God created for good can be misused, as I stated above. Do not delve in to Hebrew numerics because it is interesting. This is warning I give to all of you. I am not here to promote your exploration of it for interest sake, as there is great danger in that. Leave the exploration of it to those with a spiritual commission to explore the subject. Rather, I am asking you to have respect for it if you are a Christian who does believe in the "Old Testament."
Again, let me reiterate to all of you, I am not asking you to get in to exploring a world that can mislead you if you are not properly trained. It is not a joke. Respect it, but leave it alone unless you are Divinely Guided. What is important, however, is that you *NOT* be misled by false Prophets and false philosophies. Most of the men who have misled humanity have been spiritual confusers. From H*tler to P*l Pot, most men who have misled the world have had great personal charisma. They will confuse you, and disturb your spiritual peace. Often, they will attempt to get you angry and upset. That is where you need spiritual balance. That spiritual balance will become more and more necessary in the years ahead.
Regular prayer and meditation are key to that balance. I hope that enough of you practice those things. And, do not be mislead by false philosophies. All claims, including mine, need to be tested and not accepted because they sound good. My point here is simply to validate what I believe a certain way, not to convince others to explore what I believe. When I speak of mathematical symbolism, I am speaking of a complex reality that cannot be simplified too easily, and which is a snare for those who are simply interested in it, or who want the power. Better for them to practice regular prayer and meditation. Some day, perhaps, the deeper meanings will appear to them on their own terms.
All the best to you and yours this week. I see that elections are coming up. Personally, I do not see a candidate other than John Edwards that I would really be excited about. Even Edwards I would not agree with on everything, but I think that he's a good man. The rest seem like politicians to me. Oh well, that is what election seasons are about---politicians! G-d bless you all.