Ritual & Liturgy:
Sh'ma and Gematria

Submitted by Rabbi Leila Gal Berner
email address: LGBerner@aol.com

SH'MA
Sh'ma = Hear!
Sh'ma = Listen!
Sh'ma = Feel deep within yourself!

In gematria, the mystical interpretation of each Hebrew letter as a number with spiritual significance,

Shin-mem-ayin = Sh'ma equals 410.

Consider these words that also equal 410:

• Kuf- Daled - Vav - Shin = KADOSH: holy, sacred
• Daled-Resh-Vav-Daled = DROR: freedom, liberty
• Mem-Shin-Kaf-Nun Sofit = MISHKAN: Indwelling Presence of God; the place where the Shechina (Feminine Presence of God) dwells

To hear, to truly listen, is to experience the "still, small voice" of that which is most sacred.

To hear, to truly listen, is to be free.

To hear, to truly listen, is to feel all that is holy dwelling within, guiding our path.