Some advantages of being 5760

The Jewish calendar year 5760 which begins Friday, 10 September 1999, will be remarkable for a number of reasons, viz

• it will take in the greater part of the millenium year 2000 (according to the Christian calendar)

• it will be a leap year - and will thus include an extra month

• it will be associated with a number rich in factors - in particular, 10, 12, 24 and 144 (ie 12 x 12)

Focussing on the last of these, it is interesting to note:

• not since 5040 (corresponding with 1279/1280 AD) has there been a year so noteworthy in this respect

• never has there been a year of such graphical interest, for consider:

The fact that 5760 = 10 x 24 x 24 makes it possible to represent this number as a triangular formation of composite squares - each of 576 units - the triangle in this case being rather special: known to the Greeks as tetraktys - a symbol revered by Pythagoras and his followers!

• but there is also a remarkable link with something more familiar, viz the common chequerboard:

This, of course, is a prerequisite to the games of draughts and chess. Subdividing each square in this 8 x 8 arrangement into 12 x 12 units (and removing the chequered pattern in the process) we obtain:

Now observe that this forms a perfect backcloth for our geometrical representation of 5760:

• in this figure we discover that each of the two areas shaded brown comprises 1728, or 12 x 12 x 12 unit squares!

• together, these areas account for 3456 unit squares - a number possessing an eye-catching sequence of digits!

• the ratio 3456 : 5760 (ie areas brown : blue) may also be expressed as 3 : 5 - ratio of the sides of the mercy seat (Ex.25:17) and also of the characteristic values of the Greek forms (nominative case) of 'Jesus' and 'Christ' (ie 888 and 1480, respectively)!

• the number 12 has a peculiar significance in both Testaments, and we observe (a) the separation of the sons of Levi for special duties balanced by tribal headship falling not upon Joseph, but upon each of his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, and (b) Jesus' appointment of an inner circle of precisely 12 disciples - this number restored by the prompt appointment of Matthias (Acts 1:15-26) following the death of Judas (we hereby learn that in the divine economy it was somehow necessary that the original complement be restored to 12 in each case!)

Clearly, a consideration of these developments (in which 12 figures so prominently) - taken together with the facts mentioned earlier - render the year 5760 (Anno Mundi) unique to the whole span of Jewish and Christian history!

This should help us all understand something more of the abilities and ways of our Creator and Lord.

Vernon Jenkins MSc

31.8.99

email: vernon.jenkins@virgin.net

See also: http://www.compulink.co.uk/~indexer/miracla1.htm for 'Aspects of a Miracle'

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