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The Power of Hands and the Numbers 14, 28, 42
Numbers in Judaism

The Power of Hands and the Numbers 14, 28, 42

The Power of Hands and the Numbers 14, 28, 42

The Jewish Kabbalists reveal that there are 14 phalanges in each hand. The gematria of the word “yad” (hand) = 14.

2 hands - 14 + 14 = 28 = the gematria of the word “koach” (strength).

The first words of the Torah encode the 42-letter Name of the Almighty: 28 letters of the first verse (Genesis 1:1), beginning with the letter ב (bet) in the word בְּרֵאשִׁית - (Bereshit), and 14 letters of the second verse (ibid., 1:2), ending with the letter ב in the word וָבֹהוּ (vavohu). Indeed, it was through the power of this hidden Name that the reality of this world was created.

Rambam clarifies that this Name, which possesses exceptional holiness, is not one long word, but consists of several words containing the aforementioned 42 letters.

Moreover, the 14 phalanges together with the palm itself yield the number 15. The most powerful Jewish bracha—Birkat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing—consists of 15 words. The Kohanim bless the people with their hands raised.

(Hava Kuperman, Moreh Nevukhim 1:62; Rabbenu Tam—Tosafot on Chagigah 11b, “Ein Dorshin”; Mi-Ma'amakim, Bamidbar, Masei 76, pp. 468–470).

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Tags: Number 28, Gematria, Numbers, Priestly Blessing, Strength of the Hands, Number 12

01 Jun 2017
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