1066 is as significant for Judaism as it is for Jews in England. French-speaking Norman Jews first settled in England trading and investing in properties.

The language used for such transactions was mostly Aramaic, a language shared with the pre-medieval church.

Lovers of Gematria will be interested to know that 1066 is the Hebrew numerical value of key theological words.

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1066 is the combined word value of Ruach HaKodesh, Shechinah and Kevod-Adonai, when spelled with the transliteration of God’s name, YHWH.

Ruach Hakodesh, known as the Holy Spirit, communicates through different levels of inspiration or prophecy from God to humankind.

Shechinah, means Divine Presence. The Shechinah is taken to represent the feminine manifestation of God’s power, the maternal, emotional, creative emanation of the Creator.

Kevod-Adonai, the glory of God, is also 1066.

These theological concepts drew the line between traditional Judaism and Christianity, as well as other radical or mystical movements within Judaism.

The Holy Spirit, known in classical Christianity as the Holy Ghost, forms part of the Trinity, in contrast to pure monotheism preached by the Hebrew prophets.

The glory of God, as seen by Chassidism and in the Tanya, written by the Alter Rebbe of Lubavitch, Shneur Zalman of Liady, is something tangible – kevodo mamash – meaning God’s divinity finds expression in the material world.

The word mamash, concrete, actual or tangible, was the acronym given to the seventh and last Lubavitcher Rebbe, spelling the three words of his name: Menachem Mendel Schneersohn.

This notion set the Rebbe as the Messiah inviting divine glory to descend into the material world.

Wishing the JN many happy returns on this 1066th edition.

Rabbi Ariel Abel serves Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation and is Padre to HM Armed Forces

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