Qof (ק) is the 19th letter of the Hebrew alpha-beyt with a numerical value of 100. The letter sounds like the letter Q, verses a hard letter K.
There is a famous Jewish story involving the letter Qof called the tale of "Kof and the Woodcutter's Prayer," found in The Aleph-Bet Story Book. In this story, a poor woodcutter and a rabbi learn a lesson about humility and priorities. The woodcutter, despite his meager life, demonstrates sincere devotion through his simple prayers, teaching the rabbi that true holiness (kedushah, symbolized by Qof) lies in heartfelt intentions rather than grand gestures. This story emphasizes the spiritual essence of Qof, which represents striving for holiness and distinguishing between what is sacred and fleeting or even false.
Form/Shape
Below on the left is the ancient Paleo form of the letter Qof. On the right is the modern shape of the letter.
In standard Hebrew block script, Qof (ק) is the only "non-final" letter that extends below the baseline of the text. Falling below the baseline is illustrated nicely in the ancient form on the left. The sages, mystics and rabbinic scholars all found significant meaning is this design.
Here are some significant Hebrew words that begin with the letter Qof:
- Qodesh (קָד֔וֹשׁ) - Holiness or sacredness, as in Kadosh (holy).
- Qorban (קָרְבָּן) - Sacrifice or offering, derived from the root meaning "to draw near."
- Qeshet (קֶשֶׁת) - Bow or rainbow, symbolizing covenant and promise.
One of the most famous lines of the Torah teaches: Lev. 19:2 --You shall be holy (קָד֔וֹשׁ)
for I the Lord your G-d am holy (קָד֔וֹשׁ).”
Finding Meaning in the Root
The letter Qof (ק) is in the Hebrew words tikvah (תִּקְוָה), qavah (קָוָה) and kav (קַו). The word tikvah (תִּקְוָה) comes from the root qavah (קָוָה), meaning "to bind," "to twist," or "to wait." This root conveys the image of a kav (קַו), cord or rope, symbolizing strength and hope through unity and tension, as seen in Rahab's scarlet cord in Joshua 2:18 (NIV):
"Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father's household."
Symbolism of Qof
The letter Qof represents both holiness (kedushah) and unholiness (kelipah), signifying the duality of human experience. It calls for peeling away superficial layers to reveal inner sanctity, much like hope (tikvah) involves enduring challenges to uncover deeper faith and trust.
The national anthem of Israel is called - HaTikvah -- The Hope of Israel.
Rahab's story is a human portrait of Qof. Qof embodies the tension, waiting, and ultimate fulfillment inherent in Rahab's tikvah, a word that means both a scarlet cord and the Hebrew word for hope. A tikvah visually and conceptually mirrors the intertwined fibers of a rope, which grow stronger through binding—a powerful metaphor for hope.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) -- But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
That verse has special significance for me personally ever since this eagle visited my yard on 12/22/21.
Applying Gematria
Gematria itself derives from the Greek word geometria (geometry), reflecting its Greek origins. Jewish mysticism adopted and developed gematria.
The great Sage Rabbi Eliezer Ben Chisma said:
"The calculation of the equinoxes and gematriot are the condiments of wisdom."
Rabbi Eliezer Ben Chisma
The phrase "The calculation of the equinoxes and gematriot are the condiments of wisdom" is a profound statement that blends astronomy, mysticism, and philosophy.
Rabbi Eleazar Ben Chisma was a tanna (sage) of the second and third generations (2nd century). He was a disciple of two huge Jewish intellects: Joshua ben Hananiah and Gamaliel II.
Joshua ben Hananiah died 131 CE was also known as Rabbi Yehoshua. He was a leading tanna of the first half-century following the destruction of the Second Temple. He is the eighth-most-frequently mentioned sage in the Mishnah.
Rabban Gamaliel II was a rabbi from the second generation of tannaim. He was the first person to lead the Sanhedrin as nasi after the fall of the Second Temple in 70 CE. He was the son of Shimon ben Gamaliel, one of Jerusalem's foremost men in the war against the Romans, and grandson of Gamaliel I.
Another proponent of gematria was great the Greek philosopher Plato. Plato referenced concepts akin to gematria in his works. He explored the idea that the "essential force" of a thing's name could be tied to its numerical value. He suggested that words or phrases with the same numerical value might share a deeper connection and could be substituted without losing meaning.
The practice of totaling the integers of letters in gematria is not merely mathematical; it’s symbolic. The numerical value is thought to reveal hidden connections between words and concepts that share the same total.
For instance, the Hebrew words for "love" (Ahava, אהבה) and "one" (Echad, אחד) both have a total value of 13, symbolizing a connection between love and unity.
Gematria and Qof
Numerical Value: The numerical value of Qof is 100, symbolizing completeness or fulfillment, aligning with the concept of hope as confident anticipation of divine promises.
Qof is the 19th letter/integer in the Hebrew alpha-beyt. One method of gematria is to total the integers of the letters. If we add the prior 18 integers to arrive at the 19th integer, Qof. (1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12+13+14+15+16+17+18) we get to 171.
The Gematria of 171 reveals the word Shekinah. The Shekinah represents a visible manifestation of God's presence amid his people. In the context of the bible, I would say that Rahab's Tikvah foreshadows that description!
Transformation
From the writings of the Zohar, the Jewish mystics believe the design of the Qof also represents kelipah (unholiness). Here is an explanation that is given:
"The name Qof in Hebrew means monkey. A monkey is a mimic, as in the well-known adage: “Monkey see, monkey do.” The letter Qof is also a mimic. It imitates the letter holy letter Hei.
On the other hand, the Qof invites transformation. The act of lighting candles can replace falsehood, obliterate the darkness and fill the area with light and joy.
By lighting the Hanukkah candles at the prescribed time, we thus help elevate that which has fallen below the line to the level of holiness.
Consider Rahab's transformation. She was a pagan and a prostitute who became a Jew in the genealogy of Jesus. The tikvak she hung as a side from her window is linked to:
- Spiritual Growth: The holiday symbolizes rising above challenges, as seen in its themes of light overcoming darkness and the miracle of the oil. It encourages introspection, gratitude, and connection to divine transcendence.
- Personal and Social Change: Hanukkah inspires individuals to confront inner struggles (e.g., egoism) and strive for unity, love, and altruism. Its message of perseverance and small actions leading to significant impact resonates deeply.
- Cultural Adaptation: In modern times, Hanukkah has transformed into a widely celebrated holiday, especially in the U.S., reflecting evolving Jewish identity in diverse cultural contexts.
Conclusion
Hanukkah, when the temple was dedicated after the "abomination of desolation spoken of in Daniel," embodies transformation on personal, communal, and historical levels.
Judaism and Christianity share a common bond in Hanukkah, the Festival of Light.The concept of being below the baseline, and coming out of the darkness and into the light is depicted nicely in the ancient form of the Qof shown below.
