Yitro Aliyah 6 and 7

Although the 6th Aliyah is the Parsha of the 10 commandments, and should be ripe for a blog such as this, the Torah itself really only makes reference to a few numbers.

3,4,  6 and 7.

In both instances, the numbers are grouped together and compared.  In the first instance we are told that Gd is jealous and visits the sins of the fathers upon the children for 3 generations (shlishim) and upon the 4th generation (Ribaim) upon those who hate Him.  In the second grouping we are told that man shall work for 6 days, and on the 7th day he will rest for Shabbat, because the world was created in 6 days and on the 7th day He rested.

I do not know what 6 represents in general (I'm open if anyone knows, so I can improve further articles), but in this case, I think we can say that 6 is a doubling of 3. 3 is stability and long lasting, 4 is normally a number which represents the physical world in some way, or humility and dirt, and 7 is the number for natural cycles.

There is a lot of content between the two instances of numbers, so they can not be directly compared, but what I think can be compared here, is the fact that we have a situation where two sequential numbers are highlighted. And in the second case, they are highlighted twice.

I don't think much can  be said for punishments going 3 generations, but 4 generations if things are really bad. They will go on forever, but even more than that if things are terrible? But what about blessings and good deeds? We are told nothing.  Perhaps here we are given idea of eternal punishment, with a "return to earth" to repent further (Reincarnation?) that the Mystical forms of Judaism are certain are the key to the Reward and Punishment cycle.  This would seem to be a good hint for such an Idea in the Torah.  Ofcourse we are told later in the prophets, that Gd will NOT punish the sons for the sins of the fathers, but that is another topic for another blog.


So first we are told what some otherwordly reward and punishment system will be like.  Then it's "doubled" and we are told what we should be doing in this world. 6 days work, and on the 7th, rest.  We are told that Shabbat is like Olam Habah, so there is our connection to the rewards and punishments.  But beyond that, Shabbat is an eternal cycle, where things are worked on, seemingly forever, only to stop and to rest, and to have that rewards of that work continued on in cycles of ups and down, growths and destruction untill new work is done, and our relationship with Gd can be renewed.

While we are told of the consequences for making Gd angry and jealous is a sort of eternal punishment, we are also told that being a partner with Gd, and doing our work and resting, will become a cycle of Eternal reward on this earth, and not just in the world to come.


The 7th Aliyah in Yitro, has no numbers.  So this post will work for both of them.  I think this post can be improved upon, and I hope the comments can improve this art project in general.