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STREET SMARTS
HEBREW LETTERS AND THE TAROT
Uniquely, the Holy Hebrew Letters are considered feminine in nature. Each has three aspects to their meaning:1) a vocalization sound or silent breath; 2) an alpha-numerical value distinct from her alphabetical order, ie the letter in the 12th position is Lamed, and she has a numerical value of 30. Kabbalists find mystical associations in a coded numerical relationships between words of the Torah that equal the same value. This is called "gamatria"; and 3) a symbolic-spiritual aspect arrayed in each of the letter's form or architecture. Even if you don't know the Hebrew language, by scanning the text the sacred geometry of the letters will impart meaning and knowledge to your subconscious. God created the world with speech, which breaks down to words, which breaks down to letters.
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"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" John 1:1.
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This section will develop and grow with up-coming post. The number in the title correlates to the Hebrew alphabets numbering from 1-22 and the date is when the Hebrew letter and tarot card were discussed in a Street Tarot blog post.
1. Aleph and The Fool - October 16, 2023
The tarot card, The Fool corresponds to the Hebrew letter Aleph. She is silent, has no sound, and is assigned the numerical value of 1 as in one God. Spiritually and symbolically, Aleph is associated with; a) an ox or energy, b) breath as in the silent, divine breath in all sentient beings, and c) wisdom, which comes from finding a balance between the spiritual and one's everyday, work world. For you see, this Holy Fool is silent and wise because she is listening to and following the inner whisper of the divine voice. She is confident, and building trust in herself and a sense faith as she pursues her calling. This distinguishes her from foolish, impulsive acts. The test for The Holy Fool is to stay the course in the midst of adversity, doubt, and fears. We'll see. . .
Hebrew Letter - Aleph
Kabbalistic number for The Fool is 1
2. Bet (Vet) and The Magician - March 1, 2024
I am reminded of the tarot card, The Magician. Its beneficial aspect is manifestation through effective communication which helps us achieve our goals and connect to people. Generally, this card is depicted with the symbols of the four suits of the tarot displayed on a table before a practitioner. These demonstrate his or her resourcefulness. In turn, the figure represents a divine messenger: the Greek god Mercury, an angel, or prophet whose intentions are for the good. A bad aspect of this card is in the misguided use of the power of speech. How we talk to others and especially to ourselves can be destructive or transformative.
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In a traditional deck this card is numbered I or 1 in the Suite of Trumps. However, I prefer the tarot's connection to the Hebrew alphabet. Each letter has spiritual, and inherent magical properties of a highly technical nature, not like birthday parties or circus act magicians. The important point is to be mindful of what you say. "Scholars who support the Hebrew etymology say the incantation "abracadabra" is a corruption of the Hebrew, ebrah k’dabri, meaning 'I will create as I speak,' ie that the act of speech will magically create new realities" (Rabbi Julian Sinclair's article in The Jewish Chronicle, 2018).
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The Magician card lines up with the 2nd Hebrew letter, “Bet". Her numerical value is also 2, and she sounds like "b" as in book or at times like "v" as in "vault". Symbolically, she represents a house, a profoundly personal term which can signify protection.
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There are visualization techniques to help you claim your agency. One is to imagine nestled in the hollow of the Hebrew letter Bet. Feel you are at "home" and decorate it as you like. It is a safe haven to express yourself in imaginary talks with people you have a troubled relationship. It is where you can develop, rehearse, and prepare for any possible backlash you may get when you do meet up in real-time. Contemplate a positive outcome. Now, you are ready to speak up for yourself. Also, for those folks who remember their dreams pay attention to images of houses, buildings, or what seems to be homes. Notice the mood and atmosphere accompanying these structures too. These symbols in your dream-theater can indicate your inner state of security, and sense of agency.
Hebrew Letter - Bet
Kabbalistic number for
the Magician is 2
3. Gimel and the High Priestess - June 1, 2024
In his book "Guide for the Perplexed", Maimonides claims a function of angels is to act as go-betweens for all divine prophetic messages. Most of us will experience their visitations through visions of prophecy or in our dreams. Direct divine communication with God is reserved for Moses and Jesus. The notion of revelation or prophecy reminds me of the tarot card, the High Priestess. She is often depicted as a woman dressed in religious regalia who is seated behind a thin veil that hangs from two pillars on either side of her. She represents the concealed, inner world continuum that starts with our instincts, moves into intuition, ends with our higher self receptive to divine messages as prophecy or oracle. The term "oracle" applies to the person, the sacred place, and the prophetic utterances. A familiar example is the ancient Greek's Oracle of Delphi. Here and now, in Kabbalistic terms the person is you, the sacred place is your body-temple, and the prophetic utterances occur from the divine whisper, visions, and in dreams when you are prepared to listen and pay attention.
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In a traditional deck, which is numbered from 0-21, the High Priestess is II or 2 in the suit of Trumps. However, I prefer the tarot's association to the Hebrew alphabet that goes from 1-22. This card aligns with Gimel whose numerical value is 3, she vocally sounds like "give" and her symbolic meaning is a Camel. This implies a self-sustained wellspring of wisdom. Most importantly this desert animal signifies movement. You must act on your inner voice, lucid dreams, and prophetic visions. Follow their guidance, no matter how irrational the initial cryptic form appears.
Hebrew Letter - Gimel
Kabbalistic number for
the High Priestess is 3
5. Hei and The Emperor - December 1. 2023
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The tarot card, The Emperor is associated with the 5th letter, “Hei", which sounds like an “h” as in "hay". Her numerical value is also 5, and the symbolic/spiritual meanings are "Window” “To Behold” and “Light”. These three terms also demonstrate The Emperor’s positive qualities, such as a charismatic, benevolent leader whom people long to connect to and foresee a bright future in his reign. Other favorable terms are; "Father figure, Generous protector, Law and order”. However, The Emperor's negative aspects include “Control freak, Immaturity, Little to no moral and ethical discipline, Lawlessness, Loss of formal authority, Highly manipulative. Mean, Revengeful". Of course, the Emperor card can relate to a woman. There is a grammatical structure for the word "the" in the Hebrew language and it involves the letter Hei. When she begins a noun it amplifies the standard word she is attached to and turns it's meaning into something extra special. For example, Jews no longer pronounce the Tetragrammaton, or the Holy 4-letter Hebrew name of God, in blessings or prayers. Instead it's replaced by the word, Adoni or Lord. In everyday speech some use the term HaShem, which starts with a Hei and means, "The Name” where the Hei elevates the noun so "The Name" is God, and not to be used in vain.
Hebrew Letter - Hei
Kabbalistic Number for
The Emperor is 5
8. Chet and The Chariot - December 14, 2024
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​I am reminded of the tarot card, The Chariot. In a traditional deck the first impression of the man standing erect in an ancient vehicle of war is the muscular Charlton Heston as Ben Hur steering four galloping horses. However some modern cards depict a well built or even a lithe looking charioteer seated cross-legged in meditation. This more advanced image leads beyond the familiar notions of hard-core masculinity to the card’s deeper symbolism of mental acuity, willpower, focus on desired outcomes, moving forward. Historically the male is associated with the "logical mind" and men drove chariots, which makes this a manly, man card. However, it also teaches not to depend on brute force. The quiet focus of a gentle determined mind, male or female, plus willpower can get you through most adversities. Ultimately, this is the type of person who can lead folks into battle and win the war, metaphorically speaking.​
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In a traditional deck, which is numbered from 0-21, the Chariot is the 7th or VII card in the Suit of Trumps, but the 8th Hebrew letter, Chet. Her numerical value is also 8 She is pronounced like "met", but has a light guttural or back of the throat sound, where the "ch" is like a strong "k". Her shape resembles an enclosed space. Symbolically, she is the letter of life, or chaim and can also mean private, to separate, to protect, place of protection, to be cut off, grace, favor, a place of refuge, a protected garden, quiet place, to be silent and still in security, a fence, a sanctuary, or an inner room". This Hebrew letter encompasses both the conventional notions of male warrior as protector, as well as the modern sense of The Chariot when solitude can strategically enhance your ability to succeed. It can help bring your ideas into manifestation. Meditation is an epistemological realm, or one of the ways we can gain the knowledge to develop and move our lives forward.
Hebrew Letter - Chet
Kabbalistic Number for
The Chariot t is 8
10. Yud and The Hermit - November 1, 2023
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What we do with this divine guidance is a personal question to answer. It may include a greater-than-oneself purpose. However, it is understandable not everyone can achieve the mountaintop, or be like Moses, a great statesman who led a group of people to become a nation. However, his example, which I term "Moses-lite" is embedded in the tarot card, The Hermit. In a traditional deck it is 9th in the suit of Trumps which, in my humble opinion, is a useless 0-21 number sequencing. I prefer the 22-Hebrew letter association which starts with 1. The Hermit correlates to the 10th letter in the Hebrew alphabet, which is Yud. She sometimes sounds like a "y" as in yes, or is used as a vowel. Her numerical value is also a 10. Her symbolic meaning is perfectly fitting to our analysis since Yud is associated with the hand, particularly the hand of God.
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As a meditation, use Yud's sacred geometry to visualize sending blessings of wellbeing to yourself, and others, even your foes. Now, imagine the divine hand sprinkling many Yuds over yourself or others, as if the letters were tiny flower petals raining down guidance and protection.
Hebrew Letter - Yud
Kabbalistic Number for
The Hermit is 10
11. Kaf and the Wheel of Fortune - January 1, 2024
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I am reminded of the Tarot card, Wheel of Fortune, which can read as; feeling lucky, destiny, karma, fortuitousness, or bad luck, resistance to change, a losing attitude. In a traditional deck, which is numbered 0-21, it is the X or 10th card in the Suit of Trumps. I prefer the tarot's association to the Hebrew alphabet and its ordering. Here, it is Kaf. She is the 11th letter, her numerical value is 20 and her sound is like "kick" or at times more guttural. Symbolically, she represents the palm of the hand.
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The symbol of the palm of the hand immediately brings to mind the notion of fortune telling. Although forbidden as part of a con game for profit, The Torah contains instances of prophecy. In certain circumstances, the ability to interpret dreams is seen as a gift from God. For example, Joseph explained Egypt’s fate from the Pharaoh's dream and how to prepare for a lengthy famine. The truth is we all carry within us the prophetic abilities which can lead us to fulfill our destiny. We just have to intentionally develop this foresight. Another related interpretation for the palm of the hand is the Hamsa; used to ward off the evil eye and negative energies in Judaism, Islam, and other religions. This unifying symbol goes back to ancient Mesopotamia, the land of Ur and home of another unifying figure, Abraham, the patriarch to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Contemplate and meditate upon unifying images for a peaceful future in these turbulent times
Hebrew Letter - Kaf
Kabbalistic Number for
the Wheel of Fortune is 11
Modern Tree of Life Hamsa
15. Samech and Temperance - February 15, 2025
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The tarot card Temperance represents moderation, equilibrium, and when "death is no longer feared, body and soul can integrate with one another, creating balance and a centered self in the midst of moving energies" - from the Motherpeace Tarot Deck. Usually, it is depicted with an angelic being pouring water from one jug into another. Alister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot deck addresses the deeper meaning of this card. He labeled it "Art", and in collaboration with the artist, Lady Frieda Harris, it highlights the creative process where something new emerges from a mixture of opposites demonstrated in the colorings and symbols. The image on their card is of an medieval alchemist dressed in green. There are two different sides to her face as she pours the elements of fire in one hand and water from the other into a large caldron. Whether the name is Art or Temperance this card represents the courage to be measured but also to try new ways of integration. Balance can occur when you couple pain and sorrow with artistic expression. For example; sadness if aligned with music can produce a tune in the "Blues"genre, or a country ballad, and so on.
A traditional deck is numbered from 0-21. The Temperance card is the 14th or XIV in the Suit of Trump. However, I prefer the tarot’s association with the Hebrew alphabet which goes from 1-22. The 15th letter is Samech who symbolically means psychological support, such as to help someone who falls into depression, which includes yourself. This letter can also refer to a physical prop such as a ladder. Access to your inner world can bolster you in the outer, everyday work world and provide guidance for transformative decision making or to develop creative ideas into successful enterprises. The way you access this internal universe in personal, subjective, and ultimately your choice, however, achieving harmony is a key.
Hebrew Letter - Samech
Thoth Deck - Art
Kabbalistic Number for Temperance is 15
16. Ayin and The Devil - October 15, 2024
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I am reminded of the tarot card, the Devil. Generally, it is depicted as a horned being that is half-goat, half-man. It can mean the evil inclination, and violent, revengeful behavior. In my experience evil people do not usually seek tarot readings. Nevertheless, many of my tarot clients have picked the Devil card. In this context it can suggest unwitting involvement in unsavory business practices and relationships with an evil person, or one's creative talent is wasted on selfish, immoral endeavors. It can take a tarot reading to open their eyes.
In a traditional deck, which is numbered from 0-21, the Devil is the XV or 15th card. However, I prefer the tarot's association to the Hebrew alphabet that goes from 1-22. She is the 16th letter, however her numerical value is 70. In modern times she is vocalized as “a” as in apple. An ancient pronunciation is a guttural sound made at the back of the throat which is said to stimulate the thyroid glands.The Devil card alines with the 16th Hebrew letter, Ayin. Symbolically, she means "eye" as in seeing or vision, and consciousness, It includes the ability to discern and ward off the "evil eye".
The mystery within The Devil card indicates a transformational approach to a more productive, happier way of life. It encourages a person to replace harmful actions with humorous ones. Devilishness can be endearing if you can laugh at yourself while mildly pranking another. Slap-stick, and physical comedy come to mind. Sit-com writers have a gift of turning anger and tragic events into comedic opportunities. Sometimes canned laughter sets the pace. The Devil’s lesson is to develop a sense of humor. Most importantly, stop tormenting yourself and others and start laughing.
Hebrew Letter - Ayin
Kabbalistic Number for The Devil is 16
18. Tzaddi and The Star - November 15, 2024
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​The Star card exemplifies the process of rising from the ashes after being tested by the destructive fires of The Tower, the previous card. That was when all known structures and principles were blown-up and completely destroyed. A new way forward was mandated. From out of those blazes, the Star card arose. It represents hope, inspiration, self realization, and renewal, as well a shining light for others in dark times. These attributes become the north star, the guiding light to move forward and out of depression and despair. They can motivate the internal engine of the psyche and activate an indomitable spirit which is “impossible to subdue”- New Oxford Dictionary.
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In a traditional deck numbered from 0-21, The Star is the XVII or 17th card in the suit of Trumps. However, I prefer the tarot's association to the Hebrew alphabet that goes from 1-22, rather than 0-21. Check out the Street Smarts page on this website to learn more. The Star card alines with the 18th Hebrew letter, Tzaddi. She has the numerical value of 90, and sounds like tz or ts. Symbolically, she means a righteous or pious person who faithfully follows God’s commandments, as one might follow the physiotherapy regime to heal a leg. They can be humble and modest, as well as rich and famous. Kabbalists believe there are at least thirty-six , “the minimum number of anonymous righteous men {and women} living in the world in every generation. They are privileged to see the Divine Presence, and the world exists on their merit. The origin of this tradition is found in the Babylonian Talmud”. - Jewish Virtual Library.
Hebrew Letter - Tzaddi-
Kabbalistic Number for The Star is 18
19. Qof and The Moon - January 15, 2025
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As a tarot reader for many decades, I understand The Moon card teaches us to avoid overconfidence on the one side and self-deceptive thinking on the other. Most importantly, we learn to walk the middle way between the two. In a traditional tarot deck numbered 0-21, the Moon is the 18th card in the Suit of Trump. However, I prefer the cards’ association to the Hebrew alphabet, which goes from 1-22. Interestingly, the 19th letter is Qof. She sounds like "Kof" as in king. Her numerical value is 100 and has the symbolic meaning of the back of the head! ​
Hebrew Letter - Qof
Kabbalistic Number for The Moon is 19
22. Tav and The Universe - March 14, 2025
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I am reminded of the tarot card, The Universe or World. It is the last card in the deck and signifies completion of a matter and spiritual wholeness achieved by integrating your inner work with outer joy. It could be a successful ending to a long term endeavor, or finally coming to grips with a bad relationship and ready to move on. This card is often depicted with a naked hermaphrodite, a man/woman dances within a circle formed by a snake, or dances with the snake. It represents renewal, and the cyclical nature of life where the end can imply a beginning. When this card is pulled in a tarot reading, to me the nakedness insinuates a special bath or shower prior to the dance. I suggest my client invite themselves to a luxurious one. If they are so inclined there is a shmorgishborg of aromatherapy extracts, candles, and soaps available to enhance the experience. I encourage them to create a ceremony of there own making; use affirmations, say prayers, what ever. Once out of the tub it's time to dance. This symbolizes a way to recognize one's accomplishment or transformational decision. There are no rules. Perhaps, you're contented with only a towel, soap, and a bathtub full of water. I am.
​Traditionally the tarot card, Universe or World is numbered 21 or XXI in the suit of Trump, which are numbered from 0-21. However, I prefer its alignment with the Hebrew alphabet that goes from 1-22. To learn more go to the Street Smarts page on this website. This card aligns with Tav, the final letter, she sounds like "t" as in tall, her numerical value is 400, and she symbolizes a mark or in biblical times a seal that identifies someone. In modern terms it is also a recognizable label and brand created by a business. Let’s say you just left your mark on a big job assignment, the final step is to cement a recognition of its completion into your soul. Often, I’ve left it up to others to compliment my endeavors and was pleasantly surprised by their response. Often, I am left disappointed. It’s similar to a wall-flower who waits and waits for someone to ask her to dance. Frankly, in the Musk-MAGA defined world empathy is synonymous with failure or weakness, and these folks might not have the emotional bandwidth for words of admiration, of course, unless it concerns Donald J. Trump.
This tarot card and Hebrew letter, Tav teaches us to acknowledge the conclusion of an achievement, or when you made a life-changing decision and ready to move on to newness. Don’t rely on others. Prepare to celebrate by taking a refreshing and ritualized bath or shower. Finally, dance to the tune of your own praises. You’ve done your best, so now it’s time to feel comfortable in your own skin, which is mostly full of water. Don’t worry about being egotistical. Who cares! In this moment relish in the image you are the center of your Universe.
Hebrew Letter - Tav
Kabbalistic Number for The Universe is 22