The Esoteric Nature of The Letter “Ayin”

The word “Ayin” means “Eye”. It is also the name of the letter that this word starts with. It is closed from the bottom and from the sides leaving just the top open. It allows things to enter. This energy can be used for good and evil. The eye is what allows letters, symbols, and other images to enter the mind.

In the other Hebrew writing system (Ktav Ivri), which is no longer used, the Ayin was described with a circle. This associated the letter with the literal Eye.

The nature of an eye is deeper than this. When we look at something, we aren’t just absorbing the image of it, but we are affecting the presence of that thing in this world.

The Ayin (ע) represents energy that can spread.  The Hebrew word for Good (טוב) is protected by the nature of its shoresh, Beit (lit. “house”) and Tav (turth). Unlike good, the word for Evil (רע) is difficult to contain and has capacity to spread outward, and it’s outward ability isn’t inherently limited to the concept of evil. The sky (רָקִיעַ), an abundance (שֶׁפַע), to emanate (לנבוע), to permeate (לְפַעֲפֵּעַ), a moment of time (רגע), and the power of listening (שמע), all have infinite potential in the nature of their growth.

The shoresh for “listen” is “Shema” (שמע). This word is the essence of accepting that Hashem as the One and only original source in all of existence. This awareness is based on a spiritual connection that has the power to be infinite in its potential to grow.