Decoding the Mathematics and Geometry Hidden in the Torah — An Introduction to the Evolution of the Soul
Using layers of meaning in the narratives of the Torah as a representation of the birth, descent, trials, purification and eventual return of the human soul to the Creator, we look specifically to see if there are correlations with Hebrew Gematria and geometry.
Introduction
This series of articles attempts to unfold the multi-layered analysis of the Torah that intertwines Kabbalistic interpretation, Biblical exegesis, Gematria, and Platonic geometry.
Further articles in this series can be found in the following Medium list:
The Hidden Geometry in the Torah
This synthesis of spiritual, esoteric, and mathematical concepts hidden in the Torah presents a unique challenge.
To understand this better from the start, let’s break down the components of these topics and explore how they might interconnect within the narrative of the Torah.
Kabbalah and Pardes
The Kabbalistic concept of Pardes refers to four levels of scriptural interpretation:
- P’shat (simple),
- Remez (hinted),
- Derash (searched), and
- Sod (hidden).
This system is attributed to the well-known Kabbalist, Moses de Leon, and mirrors the medieval Christian “fourfold” exegesis method.
In Kabbalah, these layers are not just methods of interpretation but are considered to reflect deeper realities of the soul and the cosmos.
Highly Speculative
This interpretation is highly speculative and combines various disciplines and beliefs. Such an analysis is not traditionally accepted in mainstream religious or academic circles and should be approached as a creative and esoteric exploration rather than established fact.
The connections between Gematria, geometric shapes, and Platonic solids, in particular, are conjectural and not based on traditional Kabbalistic teachings or mainstream scientific understanding.
Old Testament as a Narrative of the Soul
This perspective aligns with the mystical interpretation, where biblical stories are viewed as allegories for spiritual truths related to the dynamics of the human soul in its evolution during life.
We explained this in detail in the following five articles, one for each Book of the Torah, and it may be worth reviewing these texts to help you unpack this article’s meaning. They explain in detail how the journey of Old Testament characters can be seen as symbolic of the soul’s journey: its creation, descent into the material world, struggles, purification, and eventual return to the divine.
Hebrew Gematria
Gematria is a method of interpreting Hebrew scriptures by computing the numerical value of words based on their letters. Under this assumption, every name and place in the Torah could have a hidden significance, revealing deeper spiritual truths.
Torah as a Coded Text
This view aligns with the mystical belief that the Torah contains esoteric wisdom about the universe and the human soul, encoded in its text.
Geometric Equivalence in Gematria
The assumption is that the numerical values derived from Gematria also correspond to geometric shapes, possibly extending to higher-dimensional geometry. This is a speculative leap, connecting numerical symbolism with geometric forms.
We explored this in an earlier article using mathematics and geometry to speculate on the dynamics of angels, using Ezekiel’s vision of the heavens as a template (Ezekiel 1):
Connection to Platonic Solids
Platonic solids are regular, convex polyhedra with identical faces of regular polygons. Since their description in the philosophical texts of Plato, these shapes have perplexed and inspired spiritual thinkers for thousands of years.
Their unique fundamental structure has been used in many disciplines to reveal hidden patterns in everything. Most notably, the German astronomer, Johannes Kepler used them to accurately work out the orbital trajectories of the planets in our Solar System. His philosophical contemplations of their geometry are explained in detail in his 1596 work Mysterium Cosmographicum.
Connecting these shapes to the Gematria of the Torah may suggest a hidden, perhaps cosmological, structure to the universe as encoded in the text.
Given these assumptions, let’s explore a speculative commentary on the Torah:
Creation Story (Genesis)
The narrative of Genesis could be seen as the birth of the soul. The numerical values of key terms (like “light”, “darkness”, “heaven”, and “earth”) might correspond to specific geometric forms, possibly reflecting stages in the soul’s development or aspects of divine emanation.
The Journey of Abraham (Genesis 12 onwards)
Abraham’s journey from Ur to Canaan, and his subsequent experiences could symbolize the soul’s descent into the material world and its trials. The Gematria of places he visits and people he interacts with might reflect various spiritual challenges and lessons.
Joseph’s Story (Genesis 37 onwards)
Joseph’s descent into Egypt and eventual rise to power could represent the soul’s journey through adversity, with each significant event in his life corresponding to a specific geometric shape or numerical value, indicating different spiritual states or transformations.
Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings (Exodus — Deuteronomy)
The liberation of the Israelites and their journey to the Promised Land can be seen as the soul’s journey towards purification and enlightenment. The names of places in their wanderings, and the events that occur, might be interpreted as stages in the soul’s purification process, each with a corresponding geometric symbol derived from their Gematria values.
Platonic Solids and Higher Dimensions
The five Platonic solids could be seen as representing fundamental aspects of the soul’s dynamics and journey or the structure of the universe as described in the Torah. The speculative leap to higher-dimensional geometry might suggest more complex spiritual realities or stages of enlightenment.
The Hidden Mathematics in the Torah
Approaching the Torah through the lens of mathematics while integrating Kabbalistic interpretation, Gematria, and the allegorical narrative of the soul’s journey presents an additional and related speculative exercise.
Mathematical Patterns in Gematria
In a mathematical context, the Hebrew Gematria of the names of people and places in the Torah could be analyzed for mathematical patterns or relationships.
For instance, prime numbers, Fibonacci sequences, or other mathematical series might be discerned in these values, suggesting hidden meanings or relationships.
Creation (Genesis)
The seven days of creation could be interpreted through the lens of mathematical progression or geometric growth, symbolizing stages in the unfolding of the universe or the development of the soul.
The Flood (Genesis 6–9)
The dimensions of Noah’s Ark (300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high) could be examined for their numerical significance, possibly representing aspects of spiritual purification or transformation.
The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11)
The story of Babel’s tower, reaching towards the heavens and resulting in the confusion of languages, might symbolize the complexities and challenges of human understanding, including the pursuit of mathematical and scientific knowledge.
Mathematical Symmetry and Patterns in the Torah
The structure of the Torah itself could be analyzed for mathematical symmetry. This might involve examining the number of verses, words, and letters in specific sections, looking for patterns that could symbolize spiritual truths or the structure of the soul’s journey.
Numerical Symbolism in Major Events
Exodus and the Ten Plagues (Exodus 7–12)
The ten plagues could be interpreted as a sequence with mathematical symbolism, each plague representing a stage in the process of liberation from material bondage, akin to stages in an algorithmic process.
The Giving of the Law (Exodus 19–20)
The Ten Commandments can be seen as a foundational ethical code, with their number ten possibly symbolizing mathematical completeness or perfection in the moral-spiritual realm.
Mathematical Analysis of Prophecy and Law
The prophetic books and legal texts within the Torah could be subjected to numerical analysis, looking for patterns or structures that might reveal deeper insights into the nature of divine law or the trajectory of human history.
Mathematical Mysticism
This would involve a speculative leap into viewing the Torah as a mathematically encoded document, where numbers and their relationships are not just symbolic but are keys to understanding deeper cosmic truths. This could extend to exploring concepts like sacred geometry, but within a purely mathematical framework.
Summary
In summary, this approach involves a detailed and speculative mathematical analysis of the Torah’s text, looking for patterns, structures, and relationships that might reveal hidden layers of meaning, especially in relation to the soul’s journey and spiritual truths.
It’s important to note that such an interpretation is conjectural and not accepted in traditional religious or academic circles. It represents a creative and esoteric exploration of the Torah, blending religious, mystical, and mathematical ideas.
