This study of mysticism in Hebrew Gematria is dedicated in loving memory to my father-in-law, Mr. Arnold Student Litman, and my mother, Mrs. Ethel Sakash Belk, may they rest in peace.

After the destruction of the world we see an interesting Gematria pattern in the words of Noach’s first action, Vah Yee Vehn - Noh Ach - Meez Bay Ach - Lah Hashem {And He Noach built an altar to Hashem}. The purpose of this altar was to offer sacrifices to Hashem. Even though Noach was a Spiritualist who was not commanded to offer sacrifices, our sages say he reasoned within himself, ‘Why did Hashem have me bring seven of the ritually clean animals and only two of the non clean? What was the purpose of this?’ Noach did not consult with Hashem on this matter. He reasoned within himself, ‘The additional five of the clean animals were for the purpose of offering a sacrifice.’

Vah Yee Vehn - Noh Ach - Meez Bay Ach - Lah Hashem
{And He Noach built an altar to Hashem}

Vah Yee Vehn - Noh Ach - {And He Noach built}
126 = Chof 8 Nun 50 - Nun 50 Bais 2 Yud 10 Vav 6

Meez Bay Ach - Lah Hashem {an altar to Hashem}
113 = Hey 5 Vav 6 Hey 5 Yud 10 Lamid 30 - Chof 8 Bais 2 Zayin 7 Mem 40
239 = 126 + 113

Even though Noach did warn the world of the impending destruction, our sages say that he did not intercede in behalf of the sinful world. He did not appeal to Hashem’s Mercy to spare the world. He was safe. He was content to just warn the world as opposed to pleading for mercy for sinful mankind before Hashem. He was secure in the promise of Hashem for himself and his family. He was so secure that he failed to plead for mercy. This is unfortunate because there is a chance that the world could have been spared. Upon exiting the Ark and observing the world in utter chaos, Noach realized his vile failing.

Dear holy ones, Noach’s failing is termed “target fixation.” Noach was so focused on warning the world that he failed to realize his responsibility to plead to Hashem for their mercy. This is a serious failing but it was not intentional. Yet one must wonder, would it have changed anything? I don’t know! However from Noach’s reaction it appears that he was overcome with loss, guilt and fear. Noach needed reassurance desperately. He stood by the ark peering out into the ravaged world. He was depressed! Our sages say he thought. They point out Vah Yee Vehn means, “and He {Noach} contemplated.” What did he contemplate? ‘How can a G-d who is known as Merciful have done such destruction to His beautiful world?’ He was devastated! Then in his thoughts He realized his own failings. How could he, a righteous man, have failed to plead for mercy in behalf of the world to Hashem? He was terrified because of this great failing so he built an altar of sacrifice. The Gematria Miluy of Vah Yee Vehn represents the contemplation of all Hebrew letters combined together. See My Gematria Chart.

Vah Yee Vehn {and He [Noach] contemplated} - See Dr. Belk's Gematria Chart

550 = Nun 106 Bais 412 Yud 20 Vav 12

Fee Law Li Tee {I thought}
550 = Yud 10 Sav 400 Lamid 30 Lamid 30 Pey 80

He realized that even though G-d had not commanded sacrifice for Spiritualists, he was permitted to sacrifice. Noach then took from the clean animals and birds that he had cared for during the previous year and sacrificed to Hashem. Then Hashem comforted Noach.

Chassidim, notice that the acrostic from the first letters of Noh Ach - Meez Bay Ach - Lah Hashem spells {read from right to left} Lamid{3} Mem{2} Nun{1} . The word is Naw Mawl {port, haven}. Noach desperately needed a haven. Noach found that security, that haven in animal sacrifice. It would have been better had he found it in verbal praise to Hashem. Yet he did find comfort in acceptable sacrifices.

Noh Ach - Meez Bay Ach - Lah Hashem
Hey Vav Hey Yud Lamid - Ches Bais Zayin Mem - Ches Nun

Naw Mawl {port, haven}
Lamid Mem Nun

We observe within the Gematria of 239 the word Law Goor {to be a stranger} or {to be fearful}. This expresses Noach’s need to sacrifice. It was a desperate appeal to Hashem for consolation. It is necessary to understand Noach’s desperation and how Hashem had already provided for Noach’s need by allotting for more clean animals to be spared.

Law Goor {to be a stranger} or {to be fearful}.
239 = Reish 200 Vav 6 Gimmel 3 Lamid 30

Dear readers, in our desperate times of fear when we need assurances, like now when our world is threatened by terrorism and destruction, Hashem has prepared our answer in advance. I find great comfort in Tehillim 115:10-13

“Yisroel trust in Hashem! He [Hashem] is [Yisroel’s] help and their shield. House of Aharon trust in Hashem! He [Hashem] is [the house of Aharon’s] help and their shield. [All] of you who fear Hashem, trust in Hashem! He [Hashem] is the help [for all who fear Hashem] and their shield.”

The words “for all who fear Hashem” represent the Spiritualists who serve the Creator out of reverence and obedience to His 7 Commands given to Noach.

The words Ehz Rawm - Oo Maw Gee Nawm - Hoo {He [Hashem] is their help and shield} have the Gematria 468 which is also the Gematria for Voo Vaw Nee Saw {and build [an altar there]} {Deuteronomy 27:5}. So dear readers, we see that for the Jew sacrifice / praise provides help and shield. For the Spiritualist we observe that simple reverence provides help and shield even though the doors of sacrifice and praise are also open.

Ehz Rawm - Oo Maw Gee Nawm - Hoo {He [Hashem] is their help and shield}
468 = Aleph 1 Vav 6 Hey 5 - Mem 40 Nun 50 Gimmel 3 Mem 40 Vav 6 - Mem 40 Reish 200 Zayin 7 Ayin 70

Oo Vaw Nee Saw {and build [an altar there]}
468 = Sav 400 Yud 10 Nun 50 Bais 2 Vav 6

Wishing you the best!

Dr. Akiva G. Belk