In this blog, we are going to look at the letter tet
The chet has the sound “t” as in “tank”.
The gematria is 9
The letter tet (ט) takes the form of a pot, crafted from tit (טיט) – mud, symbolizing the physical material from which humanity is formed and to which we ultimately return. Furthermore, the tet symbolizes the womb, the place where the Potter shapes the pot. This vessel, our life, is intended to be filled with goodness, with “tov” (טוב).
The journey, however, is not always straightforward, as not every experience is initially perceived as good. The good may sometimes only become visible to us after months, much like a child leaving the womb after nine months.
Similarly, life’s challenges may not immediately appear beneficial, but over time, their positive impact becomes clear. This perspective stems from the belief that everything bestowed upon us by G-d is inherently good, as G-d is both the source and embodiment of goodness – “tov u’mativ” (טוב ומטיב).
Upon recognizing this truth, transformative humility arises. The shape of the tet illustrates this beautifully: the right side, reminiscent of a bowed head in prayer, symbolizes our humility, while the left side represents God, before whom we bow and worship. This humble experience brings an awareness of our profound dependence on God, acknowledging that our knowledge is but a fraction of His immense wisdom.
Moses, a paragon of humility, embodied this perspective. He bore two names: Moses and Toviah – “G-d is good.” Moses understood that everything from G-d’s hand (yad – יד – gematria 14) is inherently good (טית 400+10+9 =14). With this conviction, he approached life with a deep recognition of G-d’s goodness.
Essentially, the letter tet serves as a profound reminder. As we navigate the complexity of life, we are called to look beyond immediate challenges and trust that, like a hidden child in the womb, they contribute to our growth. And in our journey, when we bow our heads in humility and recognize the goodness of G-d, the wisdom of Moses resonates, understanding that everything from His hand is indeed good.
What we can learn from the letter tet
1. Goodness in Challenges:
– Life’s challenges may not always appear immediately beneficial, but, like a hidden child in the womb, they often contribute to our growth and well-being.
2. Transformative Humility:
– Recognizing the inherent goodness of God in all things cultivates transformative humility, symbolized by the bowed head of the letter tet.
3. Moses’ Wisdom:
– Moses exemplifies profound wisdom, acknowledging that everything from G-d’s hand is inherently good, encapsulated in the symbolic value of the letter tet.
We are now familiar with the:
ט ח ו ב י ת א ל פ ף ג מ ם ד ה ז
ֹand can now read the following words, among others:
Genesis 1:
4And G-d saw the light that it was good, and G-d separated between the light and between the darkness. | דוַיַּ֧רְא אֱלֹקים אֶת־הָא֖וֹר כִּי־ט֑וֹב וַיַּבְדֵּ֣ל אֱלֹהִ֔ים בֵּ֥ין הָא֖וֹר וּבֵ֥ין הַחֽשֶׁךְ: |
Nachum 3:
14Draw siege water for yourself; strengthen your fortifications; come into the clay and tread the mortar; grasp the brickmold. | ידמֵ֚י מָצוֹר֙ שַֽׁאֲבִי־לָ֔ךְ חַזְּקִ֖י מִבְצָרָ֑יִךְ בֹּ֧אִי בַטִּ֛יט וְרִמְסִ֥י בַחֹ֖מֶר הַֽחֲזִ֥יקִי מַלְבֵּֽן: |
Psalm 110:
3Your people will volunteer on the day of your host, because of the beauty of holiness when you fell from the womb; for you, your youth is like dew. | געַמְּךָ֥ נְדָבֹת֘ בְּי֪וֹם חֵ֫ילֶ֥ךָ בְּהַדְרֵי־קֹ֖דֶשׁ מֵרֶ֣חֶם מִשְׁחָ֑ר לְ֜ךָ֗ טַ֣ל יַלְדֻתֶֽךָ: |
To hear the texts, see youtube below
By Angelique Sijbolts
Sources:
The Wisdom in the Hebrew Alphabet p. 97, habadVideo, The Wisdom in the Hebrew Alphabet Grammatica vh Bijbels Hebreeuws by E. Lettinga, Grammar For Biblical Hebrew by C. Seow,
Mamre
The second and third youtube in this section was produced by Chabad.org, and is copyrighted by the author and/or Chabad.org.
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