Gematria is one of the 32 exegetical methods used by the sages to interpret the Torah. Gematria allows us to analyze the Torah (or any
At-bash is a basic "reflective" transformation pattern, wherein the first and last letters of the alef-beit transform into one another, as do the second and second-to-last, and
The Hebrew term for letter transformations is chilufei otiyot , which literally means "the interchanging of letters. There are a number of different transformation schemes used in
Al-bam is a method of alphabetic transformation. The basic "direct" transformation pattern, wherein the alef-beit is divided into two equal groups of eleven letters which are then
Click to Enlarge
Achas-beta is a method of alphabetic transformation wherein the first 21 letters of the alef-beit are initially divided into three equal groups of seven letters, which are then
Ayik-becher is a method of alphabetic transformation wherein the 27 letters of the full alef-beit (including the five letters with a final form (mem, nun, tzadik, pei, and
At-bach is a method of alphabetic transformation that is initially divided into three groups, in accordance with either of two systems: 9, 9, and 4 when
Ach-bi is a method of alphabetic transformation wherein the alef-beit is divided into two equal groups of eleven letters. Within each group, the letters pair "reflectively"–the first with
The 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet divide into 5 phonetic groups, based on their origin in the mouth's vocal system: the throat: א (alef) ח