Number

3

Three, the Mothers: Aleph, Mem and Shin.

1 correspondence · 1 with an ancient or scriptural source · 0 with no source located

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The oldest attribution here is Counts Mother, first attested 100 CE.

Counts

  • Mother

    Traditional
    Who says so
    Sefer Yetzirah's counting (2nd–6th century CE (contested))
    Earliest verified attestation
    100 CE
    Ancient or scriptural source
    Attested
    Evidence
    The source states it

    Sefer Yetzirah divides the twenty-two letters three, seven and twelve.

    Evidence

    1. Rabbi Akiva (traditional attribution); older versions attributed to Abraham, Sefer Yetzirah, 2nd–6th century CE (contested) — 1:2

      Sacred primary · originates · Westcott translation, 3rd edition, 1911 (first published 1887)

      Ten are the ineffable Sephiroth. Twenty-two are the Letters, the Foundation of all things; there are Three Mothers, Seven Double and Twelve Simple letters.

      The division.

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    2. Rabbi Akiva (traditional attribution); older versions attributed to Abraham, Sefer Yetzirah, 2nd–6th century CE (contested) — 2:1

      Sacred primary · originates · Westcott translation, 3rd edition, 1911 (first published 1887)

      The Three Mothers are Aleph, Mem and Shin, they are Air, Water and Fire

      The members of the class.

      Read the source