Parshas Vayishlach
Gemesis 32:4 - 36:43

G-d Is Li Vah Doh and G-d is Gi doh Law ©

By Dr. Akiva G. Belk

This study of mysticism in Hebrew Gematria is dedicated in the loving memory of my dear friend, Mr. James Wilson, may he rest in peace.

Many, many years ago, as a young boy I often went deer hunting with my father. Even though I did enjoy hunting I stopped hunting when I became a Baal Teshuvah.

Deer are kosher but they must be properly killed. These are other issues aside from the story. Each year I would take a handwritten note to the principal of the school requesting several days off from school to go hunting with my father. Even though I was not an advanced student who could afford a few days away from school, they allowed me to take a short leave.

One year when I was about ten my father arranged for a man to pick me up after school and drive me to the mountains. I was so excited! I was always excited! I was what many refer to as an active child. The drive up to the mountains was almost 200 miles. In those days freeways did not exist. The road going to the mountains was slow and two-way. Part of the road was paved and part of the road was gravel. It seemed like we would never get to Father’s campsite. It took hours of driving. We left around 4:00 pm and did not arrive until close to midnight. It was so good to be in the mountains for a few days and to finally be at Father’s hunting camp.

As I recall when we arrived my father and the men with him were sitting around a huge campfire telling long tales. They were glad to see us. They were getting a little concerned because it had snowed about 14 inches the day before. This of course was on top of previous snows. It was cold! The air was crisp. The mountain sky was clear. The stars were so large and so close it felt as if you could reach out and take a star and place it in your pocket. It was so incredibly beautiful!!

My father gave me a big, big hug, then thanked his friend for bringing me. He brought us over to the fire where some beans were simmering in an old cast iron skillet. Father dished out the beans, tore off some hard tack and handed a plate to the gentleman who brought me. He then did the same for me. Father was very high on respect, like... adults first, children second... when adults were speaking children remained silent. When company came to supper adults were served first. Children were served second. Children were given what Father termed “the hard-time pieces” of the chicken, the back and legs and wings. Back to the story... One of the other men rounded up a couple of tin cups and poured some hot coffee from the campfire for the man that brought me and for me. I hated coffee but on that cold, snowy mountain night the coffee was good. As we sat on logs, rocks and other makeshift chairs around the fire I heard my father and several other men talking about a rescue earlier in the evening. The beans and bread were great!

In October in Colorado it begins to get dark between four and five. When the sun goes down the wind often whips up. It gets cold so fast! In the mountains of Colorado, when the moon is low it’s hidden behind the mountains so its light is blocked. On a clear night the moon does not rise high in the sky until late so it is very dark, especially in a forest.

After dark Father and another man named Frank were driving their jeep down a snowy trail when Father heard what he thought was a faint, desperate cry for help. As recounted by Father, he then said, “Stop the jeep!” He got out. He again heard the distant cry, “Help!” Father and Frank shined their flashlights in the direction of the desperate plea. Again, they heard the agonizing cry, “Help!”

The snow in the forest area where the cry was coming from was maybe three feet deep. Father and Frank headed towards the cry. Eventually they found a man who was lost, dysfunctional, hungry and VERY MUCH ALONE! They assisted him to the jeep, then identified him and helped him get back to his hunting camp.

Dear ones, I related this story to you for one reason: the man who was lost was alone. He was Li Vah Doh. He had been wandering for hours. The men in his camp said that he disappeared the day before. They had been looking for him ever since the snow let up. He was fortunate to be alive. No food and little pure - in a Colorado mountain storm for over 36 hours.

Holy reader, can you imagine what it is like to be lost Li Vah Doh {alone} in a serious snow storm in the mountains, in the forest, in freezing conditions with the wind blowing and whipping, without food and only limited water?

In our Torah parsha this week we read, “Yaakov remained Li Vah Doh {alone}.” Bereishis 32:25 When did Yaakov remain alone? Yaakov remained alone just prior to meeting up with his mean brother Eisov. Yaakov was alone when he wrestled with Eisov’s guardian malach {angel}.

It is not difficult for us to understand what it means to be alone. The lost hunter was alone. Yaakov was alone. The Gematria for the word Li Vah Doh {alone} is 42. This is the same Gematria for Gi Doh Law {great}. What do “alone” and “great” have in common besides being Gematria relatives?

Li Vah Doh {alone}
42 = Vav 6 Dalet 4 Bais 2 Lamid 30

Gi Doh Law {great}
42 = Hey 5 Lamid 30 Dalet 4 Gimmel 3

In short, G-d is Li Vah Doh and G-d is Gi Doh Law. Li Vah Doh is great. When one is lost under the above conditions, as this hunter was, one can begin to approach the greatness of being Li Vah Doh, “alone”. When one thinks of human possibilities, of searching for and finding this lost hunter alive in reasonably good health in the mountains in a blinding snowstorm, in freezing cold conditions with the wind whipping back and forth, one can begin to understand just a sliver of G-d’s greatness, Gi Doh Law. G-d is both Li Vah Doh and G-d is Gi Doh Law.

wishing you the best!

Dr. Akiva G. Belk

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