Jesus teaching the mysteries of the Aramaic Aleph-Bet

Jesus teaching the mysteries of the Aramaic letters. Aleph and Bet/Vet. Here he spells the word AV, "Father"....
The Hebrew letter "Bet" represents two different phonemes: a "b" sound (/b/) (bet) and a "v" sound (/v/) (vet). The two are distinguished by a dot (called a dagesh) in the centre of the letter for /b/ and no dot for /v/. Here Jesus is writing the Aramaic Aleph and Vet.

Jesus explains that he is doing the work of AV, the work of the Father. He says, "If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do them, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father." Yn 10:37-38

How is the Father "AV" in Jesus, and how is Jesus in the AV ? How is this possible ? The secret is hidden in the early symbols of these 2 letters, Aleph and Bet. There is an early Christian (Netzarim) story that explains how Jesus was taught the meaning of the letters found in the Infancy Gospel of Thomas. (see below)

Aleph is the first letter of the Aleph-Bet and represents the number One. It is the Beginning of the Aleph-Bet. It is a symbol of both Unity and the Infinite. The Infinite Source and Beginning.

Bet, is the second letter of the Aleph-Bet and represents the number Two, and means "house" or container.

Taken together these 2 letters mean "Father" on one level, the Aleph-Bet, the 22 letters of the Hebrew and Aramaic Alphabet, and also signify the Unity and Infinite Source that is contained in all things.

So when Jesus says the "AV" is in me and I am in the "AV".... is he saying the Father is in me ? the 22 letters are in me or the Infinite Source contained in all things is also in me ? If Jesus came to do the work of the "AV", it would be important to understand what he means when he says AV, Aleph and Bet...

Infancy Gospel of Thomas:

VI. 1 Now a certain teacher, Zacchaeus by name, stood there and he heard in part when Jesus said these things to his father and he marvelled greatly that being a young child he spake such matters.

1. after a few days he came near unto Joseph and said unto him: Thou hast a wise child, and he hath understanding. Come, deliver him to me that he may learn letters. And I will teach him with the letters all knowledge and that he salute all the elders and honour them as grandfathers and fathers, and love them of his own years.

3 And he told him all the letters from Aleph even to Tav clearly, with much questioning. But Jesus looked upon Zacchaeus the teacher and saith unto him: Thou that knowest not the Aleph according to its nature, how canst thou teach others the Bet? thou hypocrite, first, if thou knowest it, teach the Aleph, and then will we believe thee concerning the Bet. Then began he to confound the mouth of the teacher concerning the first letter, and he could not prevail to answer him.

4 And in the hearing of many the young child saith to Zacchaeus: Hear, O teacher, the ordinance of the first letter and pay heed to this, how that it hath lines, and a middle mark, which thou seest, common to both, going apart; coming together, raised up on high, dancing, of three signs, like in kind, balanced, equal in measure: thou hast the rules of the Aleph.

VII. 1 Now when Zacchaeus the teacher heard such and so many allegories of the first letter spoken by the young child, he was perplexed at his answer and his instruction being so great, and said to them that were there: Woe is me, .... I am confounded...

Aleph in Jewish mysticism represents the oneness of God. The letter can been seen as being composed of an upper yud (Yodh), a lower yud, and a vav (Waw (letter)) leaning on a diagonal. The upper yud represents the hidden and ineffable aspects of God while the lower yud represents God's revelation and presence in the world. The vav ("hook") connects the two realms.

In the Aleph is hidden the mystery of the 3 in One : The ordinance of the first letter : it hath lines, and a middle mark, which thou seest, common to both, going apart; coming together, raised up on high, dancing, of three signs, like in kind, balanced, equal in measure: thou hast the rules of the Aleph !

Digital painting by me.

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/infancythomas.html