a b c d e f g h i j k l m
  z y x w v u t s r q p o n

we get thirteen couples of letters which exchange one with the other, viz, a and z, b and y, c and x, etc.  These letters, when exchanged, give rise to a permuted alphabet, and this permuted alphabet takes its technical name from the first two couples of letters, a and z, b and y, or “Azby.”  Now if we wish to write, “Meddle not with them that are given to change,” you have to change the letters of the couples and the following will be the result:  “Nvwwov mlg drgs gsvn gszg ziv trem gl xszmtv.”  This is a specimen of the mysterious Temurah, and the “Azby” is the key to it.  The other four permuted alphabets are of a similar nature and character, and are so highly esteemed among the sages and bards of Israel, that they often use them in their literary and poetical compositions.  The Machzorim, or the Jewish Liturgies for the festivals, are full of compositions where the first letters of the sentences follow the order of either the “Atbash” or “Tashrak.”  The latter is simply a reversed order of the alphabet.

THE REAL KABBALAH

The “Real Kabbalah” consists of theoretical and practical mysteries.

1.  The theoretical mysteries treat about the ten spheres, the four worlds, the essence and various names of God and of angels, also of the celestial hierarchy and its influences and effects on this lower world, of the mysteries of creation, of the mystical chariot described by the Prophet Ezekiel, of the different orders and offices of angels and demons, also of a great many other deep subjects, too deep for comprehension.

2.  The practical Kabbalah is a branch of the theoretical, and treats of the practical use of the mysterious names of God and of angels.  By uttering properly the Shem-ham-mephorash, i.e., the ineffable name of Jehovah, or the names or certain angels, or by the mere repetition of certain Scripture texts, miracles and wonders were and still are performed in the Jewish world.

THE KABBALA

Know thou that the 613 Precepts of the Law form a compact with the Holy One—­blessed be He!—­and with Israel, as it is often explained in the Zohar.  It is written (Exod. iii. 15), “This is My name, and this is My memorial.”  “My name,” in the Hebrew characters, together with “Yeho,” amounts numerically to 365; “Vah,” together with “My memorial,” amounts to 248.  Here we have the number 613 in the Holy One—­blessed be He!  The soul is a portion of God from above, and this is mystically intimated by the degrees of “breath, spirit, soul,” the initial and final letters of which amount to 613, while the middle letters of these amount to the number of “Lord, Almighty, God.”  The soul of Moses our Rabbi—­peace be on him!—­embraced all the souls of Israel; as it is said, Moses was equivalent to all Israel.  “Moses our Rabbi” amounts to 613; and “Lord God of Israel” also amounts to 613.