Isaac and Rebecca — Parameter 515

The first Jewish couple, Abraham and Sarah, carried in their names the two sacred letters י-ה (15). Isaac and Rebecca carry a deeper value: 515.

Isaac is the only figure in the Torah chosen to go up on the altar and be offered as a burnt offering. The Akedat Yitzchak (עקדת יצחק) is presented as the most sacred event in Jewish history.

Isaac and Rebecca form a single, indissoluble body.

יצחק = 208 (begins with י). רבקה = 307 (ends with ה). 208 + 307 = 515.

Breakdown: י (10) + צחק (198) + רבק (302) + ה (5). The extremities: 10 + 5 = 15 = י-ה. The two sacred letters surround the central value of 500.

The territory of the Sanctuary in Jerusalem (Beit HaMikdash) measured 500 cubits by 500 cubits.

According to the course, the Temple was built on the exact spot where Isaac was offered; it is thanks to his supreme sacrifice that the Eternal decided to build His Sanctuary there.

That is why, according to the course, the Sanctuary’s territory (500) is central in the name of Isaac and Rebecca (10 + 500 + 5 = 515). One who offers himself fully to the Eternal will merit to have the divine dwelling within him.

To reach the outer altar where Isaac had been sacrificed, one climbed exactly 15 steps. King David wrote 15 special psalms, one for each step: the Song of Ascents (שיר המעלות), Psalms 120 to 134.

The Book of Psalms has 150 psalms: 150 = 15 × 10. The 15 psalms of the steps are the tithe (maaser) of the whole book.

According to the course, the word שירה (Shira, song) has the same value as יצחק + רבקה: 515. The word ואתחנן (Va’etchanan, “I pleaded”) also has the value 515.

Prayer, song and the sacrifice of Isaac are thus linked by the same number.

יצחק + רבקה = 208 + 307 = 515 · the ends י-ה (15) surround 500 · Sanctuary of 500 × 500 cubits · 15 steps · 15 psalms of the Song of Ascents · שירה = 515 · ואתחנן = 515.

According to the course, Isaac’s sacrifice earned that the Temple be built on this holy place.