Letter study · ר · value 200
The Letter Resh
The head — and a head can be empty
A teaching of Rav Haim Ziegler zatsal · Éditions Gueoula
Translated from the French original; the French version remains the reference text.
The Letter Resh
The head — and a head can be empty
The resh came forward in the name of רֹאשׁ (rosh), the head, the beginning, and of רַחֲמִים (rahamim), mercy.
It was answered that it also opens רָשָׁע (rasha) and רַע (ra), evil.
It resembles the dalet, but without the little point where blessing takes hold.
Its value is two hundred.
1 The Zohar account
“Master of the world, create the world through me, for through me begins rosh, the head and the beginning. And through me also begins rahamim, mercy.”
The answer came: you are the head, but through you also begin rasha, the wicked, and ra, evil. You carry height and lowness alike.
2 The likeness to the dalet
The resh resembles the dalet — but it lacks the little point, at the corner, where blessing takes hold.
A head without that point is a head without a crown: height is not enough; there must be something to hold on to.
3 Two hundred
Two hundred: twice a hundred, two complete cycles.
The resh opens the head and the beginning — and the letter recalls that one only begins well by knowing what one is joined to.
Did you follow the study?
Four questions on the letter resh.
1
Which words did the resh invoke?
The beginning, and mercy.
2
Which words were set against it?
It carries height and lowness alike.
3
What distinguishes it from the dalet?
A head without that point is a head without a crown.
4
What is the value of the resh?
Twice a hundred: two complete cycles.