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Tet
Oh, taste and see that HaShem is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Psalms 34:8 (34:9 Hebrew)
Yod
Oh, fear HaShem, you His holy ones!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
Psalms 34:9 (34:10 Hebrew)
Introduction
So far we have seen this things in the previous eight stanzas:
- alef = G-d Almighty leads His people with His mouth (words)
- bet = G-d made manifest – dwells with His people
- gimel = G-d lifts up to rebuke or to reward
- dalet = G-d is the Door and Way of life
- hey = G-d breathes understanding and reveals Himself
- vav = G-d secures and binds us to Himself
- zayin – G-d defends and sustains us
- chet = G-d graciously sanctifies and protects His betrothed people
- This week we will look at the ninth and tenth stanza, the letters tet and yod, which are the ninth and tenth letters of the alef-bet.
Tet: Tov = “Good” ( Verses 65-72)
- tet = surround, contain, mud
- Picture = a snake, a twisting
- Spelling = tet-yod-tav
- Value = 9
- Sound = t
- Meaning = G-d teaches discernment – to know truth from lie. In its evil form it is “life and covenant” (chet) upside-down, i.e. death and deceit. Rightly seen, it is the picture of the “serpent in the wilderness” and the death to self.
- This stanza shows that G-d’s way is good and how the servant of G-d can keep from being deceived.
Tet Words
tet words italicized
65 You have dealt well with Your servant, O HaShem, according to Your Davar.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe Your Mitzvot.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your Imrah.
68 You are good, and do good; teach me Your Chukim.
69 The proud have forged a lie against me, but I will keep Your Pikudim with my whole heart.
70 Their heart is as fat as grease, but I delight in Your Torah.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your Chukim.
72 The Torah of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver.
Yod: Yadei = “Your hands” ( Verses 73-80)
- yod = deed, work, throw, worship
- Picture = closed hand
- Spelling = yod-vav-dalet
- Value = 10
- Sound = y
- Meaning = G-d’s hand works lovingkindness for His servants.
- This stanza shows that we can trust the lovingkindness of HaShem, who made us with His hand and works all things together for good for us.
Yod Words
yod words highlighted
73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Your Mitzvot.
74 Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, because I have hoped in Your Davar.
75 I know, O HaShem, that Your Mishpatim are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Your Imrah to Your servant.
77 Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for Your Torah is my delight.
78 Let the proud be ashamed, for they treated me wrongfully with falsehood; but I will meditate on Your Pikudim.
79 Let those who fear You turn to me, those who know Your Edah.
80 Let my heart be blameless regarding Your Chukim, that I may not be ashamed.
Summary
- The tet verses point out that G-d’s way is good and how the servant of G-d can keep from being deceived.
- The yod verses highlight that we can trust the lovingkindness of HaShem, who made us with His hand and works all things together for good for us.
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