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Hebrew letter Samech in regular format

Samech: The Fifteenth Letter of the Hebrew Alphabet

Samech: The Fifteenth Letter of the Hebrew Alphabet

Raskin, Rabbi Aaron L.
November 17, 2021

“The numerical value of the samech, the fifteenth letter of the alef-beis, is sixty. In the Priestly Blessing recited every morn­ing there are fifteen words and sixty letters.

 

When the kohen blesses the people, he must put his two hands together. According to the Mishnah there are thirty bones in each hand, sixty when the hands are joined.

 

What is unique about the Priestly Blessing? The results of such blessings are swift and without interruption, similar to the strength of a current of mighty water that no dam can stop.

 

The Priestly Blessings embody the concept of the samech: infinite light and power.”