What is gematria?

gematria is an ancient rabbinical system of assigning numeric values to words, letters and phrases in order to reveal hidden meanings. Gematria originated in the Jewish tradition from at least the third century BC and remains an important part of Kabbalistic and other forms of Jewish mysticism. Using this system, each letter or word is assigned a numerical value according to an established correspondance between numbers and letters, which ultimately reveals deeper levels of meaning within the text.

At its simplest level, Gematria allows practitioners to explore the mathematics behind words. Numbers are an important part of any language, so understanding how they interact with words allows us to gain insight into what they really mean. The numbers assigned to each letter are used to calculate the sum of a word when adding up individual letter values. This sum can then be used as a starting point for further exploration into the nature of the word itself – such as gaining insight into its symbolic significance or even arriving at deeper spiritual understandings.

Gematria also has some practical applications relevant today. For instance, it is used by some rabbis for finding unique interpretations for Biblical texts. It has also been utilized by historians seeking to find connections between different works from various cultures, such as those involving ancient number symbolism or patterns of numerology spanning many centuries. Even more recently, it has been employed by scholars navigating their way through various religious texts to explore ideas such as reincarnation and karma (karmic law). Gematria can also come in handy when considering the implications behind certain choices or decisions – providing both meaningful insight and spiritual guidance for individuals seeking advice on which path might be best for them personally.