A • B • C • D • E • F • G • H • I • J • K • L • M N • O • P • Q • R • S • T • U • V • W • X • Y • Z Hebrew: Aleph • Beit • Geemel • Dalet • Hay • Vahv • Zaiyin • Chait • Tait Yoad • Kaf • Lahmed • Mame • Nune • Sahmek • Aiyin • Pay Tzahday • Qoaf • Raysh • S(h)een • Tahv Raysh Spelling: raysh yoad nune Raysh is said (by some) to be formed of a vahv with the first stroke elongated to the left (toward qoaf, which is said to contain it). It is the only letter whose spelling ends with the letter next to it — and that begins the spelling of that letter. This has connotations of ‘I am the beginning and the end’ — s(h)een is the beginning of what comes after raysh, and the end of what comes before s(h)een. Raysh is a letter which is seen to be ‘bending’ over, as though in an action of supplication, devotion or the presence of a burden. There are a variety of ways of interpreting this, including the poverty that leads to holiness through selflessness, bearing the burdens of the world, flexibility, and adaptability. Many of the words that begin with raysh oppose each other, and some have taught that raysh represents evil, for it begins the word rahsha for ‘evil’ in Hebrew, and raysh can be seen as ‘facing away from qoaf’ which is indicative of holiness. The yoad and s(h)een of raysh spell the word yash — ‘existence’ or ‘there is’. In combining the many seemingly opposed meanings of words beginning with raysh we find the full range of possibilities — existence itself, constantly paradoxical and yet perfectly unified in all aspects. Though it is the 20th letter, its numeric value, 200, places it at the midpoint between aleph (1) and tahv (400). Raysh represents the perfection and combination of its archetypal precursors, beit and kaf — both indicating containers, and modes or restraint, protection, or compression. In this sense it implies the ongoing perfection of the state of humanity, made in a way that reflects God’s own structure, activity, intelligence, and awareness. Many words that begin with raysh imply multiplication, abundance, to become much from little, or great quantities. The holy person who has achieved the divine purpose (and continues to) is the living vessel of God’s perfection. Lastly, raysh begins words which have to do with travel, such as ride (also chariot) (raysh kaf beit) and run! (raysh vahv tzahday-sophit). In accord with its shape, it begins the word for breadth or width (raysh chait kaf). o:O:o     o:O:o Family: Supernal: Combining and unifying the archetypal and the existential. The last four (or nine if one includes sophit letters) letters. The accomplishment of Creation outside time and space, and the perfection of the existential dimension. Archetypal: Beit Existential: Kaf Supernal: Raysh Position: The twentieth letter. The sixth of ‘the doubles’, letters which have a dual pronunciation (hard or soft) with the exception of raysh. This can be understood as a polarity between a quality and its derivative opposite, and also a harsh or lenient perspective of judgment. Common associations: Primary Significations: Head Secondary Significations: Peace and war. Beginning. Opposites which are united and perfected in the full spectrum of possibility. Body: The left nostril. Planet: Saturn Archetype/Tribe: Joseph Element: Path on the Tree of Life: Traditional: Tiphareth / Yesod Hermetic: Hod / Yesod A • B • C • D • E • F • G • H • I • J • K • L • M N • O • P • Q • R • S • T • U • V • W • X • Y • Z Hebrew: Aleph • Beit • Geemel • Dalet • Hay • Vahv • Zaiyin • Chait • Tait Yoad • Kaf • Lahmed • Mame • Nune • Sahmek • Aiyin • Pay Tzahday • Qoaf • Raysh • S(h)een • Tahv