Psalms 119:130:  The entrance of thy word gives light, it gives understanding to the simple.”

I just hung up the phone. Well, there it is, decision time, crunch time.  It is one of those life altering decisions and believe I am not about to make that decision until I have at least consulted with my old friend Byin. (understanding, discernment).  The thing is I need to find out where he lives to consult with him.  I recall one place where Byin lived, that is in Psalms 119:130.  So I quickly turn to that passage in my Hebrew Bible, but I discover that Byin along with his old pal Phatach (entrance) are missing. They are not at home. However, I do have an idea where to find Phatach and where I find Phatach (entrance, gatekeeper, portal) I am certain to find Byin (understanding).

I take a quick look to my left where I have my Look Glass hanging from my Daleth and sure enough there is Phatach standing at the entrance to the Looking GlassPhatach,  I said, “Who made you the gatekeeper to my Looking Glass?  “Maybe” replied Patach, “Because that is what my name means, opening a gateway or portal and in a noun form it is gatekeeping. I am just doing my job”   “Well,” I reply, “Your job is to be in my Hebrew Bible and particularly in Psalms 119:130.  But, I am glad you are here anyways, I am looking for Byin, have you seen him? I really need his help right now.”    “Well,” pondered Patach, “Byin would not do you much good without Devar (words from God’s heart) and if you haven’t notice Devar has also gone missing from Psalms  119:130.”  “Well,” I say disgustedly, “A fine set of Hebrew words you guys turn out to be, deserting your post when they are most needed.”

“Whoo, Whoo wait just one minute” warns Phatach, “I happen to know that Byin and Devar and good Hebrew words and they are always looking out for you.  Don’t get all huffy and judgmental on me.  I am sure they have a very good reason for leaving Psalms 119:130 temporarily. Look why don’t you just step behind your Looking Glass hanging from Daleth and search for them in Hebrew Esoteric Land”  “Hummph!” I say, “As if I need you permission to go behind my own Looking Glass.”  I immediately repent, I was being judgmental, Patach was right. I had not noticed that Devar was missing because I was so focus on what Byin (understanding) had to say, but without the Davar (Divine Word) Byin would have nothing to say.”  I apologize to Phatach and ask his permission to pass through my Looking Glass which he grants.

As I was going through my Looking Glass I started to considered the letters of Davar; Daleth, Beth and Resh.  I recall how the sages used to say that when you meet Daleth, it asks you to examine the true nature of wealth.  The Beth represents my heart and the Resh should represent wholeness or a filling.  It is what the heart could be filled with.  The resh could represent a filling of the Holy Spirit, or its shadow could be a filling of sin.

 

I pass through my Looking Glass and find myself in a very delightful world.  It should be, there is a big sign saying: “Chaim Bentorah’s Playground.”  There was the Daleth to Devar standing at the entrance. Daleth looked at me as if to say:  “If this is what you believe wealth is then you may enter.”  He opened the gate to Beth (my heart) and  Resh (filling my heart).  I become aware that Resh is showing Beth (my heart) around Chaim Bentorah’s Playground and filling him with all the things I desire and enjoy.  He lets Beth climb up this huge statute.  I see it is a statute of me.  I am indeed impressed.  My but I cut quite a figure with one hand on my lapel, another raised to heaven and my face glowing with the look of a saint.  My, my but I look holy.  I just can’t take my eyes off myself, I am just so impressed with the statute. I look around my playground and I see delights that would warm Beth (my heart) and bring it great joy.  And then there is faithful old Resh filling Beth (my heart) with them.

I notice a swing set  filled with burgers and fries, how Beth (my heart) would love that.   There are little spinners with hand grips that spin around in a circle.  The round spinners are copper colored like pennies.  I know my Beth (my heart) must not be filled with silver and gold but surely it deserves some of this copper colored value, why that is enough to delight my Beth (heart). Oh, and there is a slide papers of all my writings.  Yes, yes, indeed my Beth would love that.  Then behind all the playground equipment are hiking trails. I wonder if Beth would take a hike, I really hope not, because I don’t like what I see in the woods.  There are worry trees and fretting bushes just getting  ready to attack.

Suddenly I hear an argument outside the gate to my playground.  It is Byin understanding (Beth, Yod and Nun) having an argument with the Daleth and Resh from Davar.   I approach and ask if I could be of assistance. The Beth from Byin turns pointing his finger at me to say: “You bet your sweet bibby you can help.”  I wonder if his use of a word with so many b’s (beth) is meant to be sarcastic.  “Listen” says Byin (understanding) very firmly:  “I, the beth (your heart) came here at your request because you need understanding.  I bring the Yod who a messenger from heaven and Nun which is your faith.   But I can’t give you any message without Devar, the Word from God’s heart.  So what does the Daleth and Resh of Devar do? they are letting the Beth (your heart)  run wild in your playground.  So instead of  the Beth being filled with the Resh, (the Holy Spirit, repentance) it is filled with all these other delights and we cannot give you a message from God to help you understand in your decision making.  You will now make a decision based upon the best interest of your Playground.

Well, hearing that I march into my playground and grab Beth by the ear, and drag him kicking and screaming out of the playground and deposit him in the center of Devar between the Daleth and the Resh.   I then declare; “Now all of us are going back through the Looking Glass and you will take your rightful place in Psalm 119:130.  As we pass through the “Looking Glass” I grab Patach and drag him with.

 

Once everyone is in their proper place I again look at these words and read.  “The Patach or opening of the portal to your Devar or  the Word from the heart of God which is filled with the Spirit of God who gives light and understanding (a message from heaven through the Holy Spirit.).  However, if you allow your heart to play with all the things that are not of God, you will not be able to hear what Byin (understand) is saying.

Subscribe to our free Daily Hebrew Word Study for in-depth commentary using Biblical Hebrew!

* indicates required