Genesis 2:12

If gold (זָּׁהָּׁב - Zahav) represents perfection, purity, and divine light, as a symbol of higher wisdom and spiritual knowledge, it signifies what is "good" (טוֹב - Tov) and all that this expression suggests, reminding us of the dangers of material wealth, which distracts us from everything that has a superior intrinsic value, a spiritual good.

Wealth generates attachments, selfishness, and envy, and should be used by believers for the general welfare, which logically includes our individual integral growth. In this context, the term bdellium (בְ דֹּלַח - Bdolah), beyond referring to a resinous substance, speaks to us of the pursuit of mental clarity in order to prioritize spiritual purity, which contains great spiritual value, which we must relate to the transparency of our actions in order to find truth on the spiritual path.

For its part, onyx (שֹּהַ ם - Shoham), as a stone, symbolizes spiritual strength and protection, as it is a stone often used for building foundations, both in a material and spiritual sense. This idea, supported by gematria and the numerical value of 46, connects us to the concept of "lev" (לב - heart), reminding us not to let our emotions govern us improperly, as they, like indicators, should denote our clarity and purity.

The numerical value 345, on the other hand, leads us to the concept of "Moshe" (משה - Moses), suggesting that connection with the law and the need for its revelation, commandments that were given to this patriarch and that help us reconsider what we deem valuable in our lives. The gold, bdellium, and onyx, mentioned as being present in a land where "the gold is good," guide us toward a meditation on how these material riches should truly reflect spiritual values.

The land that produces these precious elements should be seen metaphorically as that inner space within us where gold is wisdom, bdellium is clarity and truth, and onyx is strength and foundation, great spiritual treasures that must be cultivated and discovered.

It is about looking beyond material appearances to find the "good" essence of things, that which nurtures and strengthens the spirit. Even the presence of bdellium and onyx alongside gold in this special land reminds us that our spiritual journey requires purity, clarity of purpose, and strong foundations upon which to build our lives.

In Kabbalah, everything material is a reflection of the spiritual, which is why precious stones, such as gold (זהב ), bdellium (בדלח ), or onyx (שֹּהַ ם), are not intrinsically "evil," but their value is merely a reflection of a divine spark. When they are idolized, contact with the spiritual source is lost.

The gematria of Gold – זהב (Zahav): 14 + 5 + 7 equals 26, which is the same as the Name of God (YHVH – יהוה). This can be understood as gold reflecting a divine aspect, but it can also be misinterpreted as something divine in itself, leading to idolatry.

For their part, Bdellium (בדלח ) and Onyx (שֹּהַ ם) speak to us of an original state that we must envision as pure manifestations of spiritual abundance, since in the Kabbalistic tradition, when man descends from the spiritual level, he no longer sees these stones as symbols, but as objects of desire, and therefore loses the ability to perceive their divine roots. These equivalences: זהב (Zahav) = 14 )ז + (5 )ה + (7 )ב = (26 → Name of God (יהוה), also tell us about: אֱלִ יל (Elil), which means "empty idol," has gematria 71, as does עין (Ayin), which means "eye" — this reminds us that perception (the eye) can idolize the vain if it is not guided by knowledge. Kabbalah teaches that wealth is not a blessing in itself, but a test: it can elevate or degrade the soul, depending on how it is used.

The confusion between the material and the divine is part of tikkun olam, the correction of the world. Humanity needs to learn to discern between what shines on the outside and what shines from within. The light of precious stones is a metaphor for the Infinite Light (Or Ein Sof), but it is often misunderstood.

The Zohar explains that "evil" often presents itself cloaked in beauty, to test the soul. Thus, gold can be both the golden calf and the materials of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). What matters is the intention and spiritual direction.

According to Kabbalah and gematria, we confuse the value of precious stones because we see with physical eyes what should be perceived spiritually. These stones have a divine origin, but by separating them from their root and turning them into an end in themselves, we fall into illusion (klipah). The true blessing is not the object, but the spiritual light it reflects—when used with awareness and purpose.