Musar sobre Números 8:14

The focal point of these camps is the holy ark containing the tablets. We find here an allusion to the "great" name of G–d, the one that contains seventy-two letters or words respectively [when the letters are spelled as words Ed.]. This appears three times, i.e. 216 (72 times 3) corresponding to the fact that the ark was really three arks, an outer ark made of gold, which encased the wooden ark which in turn was covered by an inner ark of gold. The tablets were six tefachim long, six tefachim wide and six tefachim high. If you multiply these measurements by one another you get 216. [Actually the author proceeds in the reverse order dividing 216 by six and then again by 6.] The Zohar on Parshat Behaalotcha explains that though the 72 lettered name of G–d is rooted in the emanation חסד, and חסד=72, it is actually composed of a combination of חסד, גבורה and תפארת. The Pardes Rimonim, in the chapter dealing with details of names, chapter 5, discusses this at length. [In order to appreciate the following, it is necessary to understand the system of tzerufim, or permutations. By transposing the letters in a given word, numerous combinations of the same letters can be achieved. In the case of a four-letter word, such as the Ineffable Name of G–d, 12 permutations are possible. This number is increased considerably when the letters in question are spelled out as words, i.e. the letter “י” as "יוד". In addition to this, such letters as "ה” for instance, could be spelled out as "הי", "הא”, or "הה”. By combining either the number of letters obtained by such spellings, or by adding the numerical value of each of such letters when this milu-im system is used, Kabbalists arrive at amazing relationships in key concepts.] You will find the number 72 hinted at in the passage about the Levites, since the Torah writes “והיו לי” (Numbers 8,14) referring to G–d claiming the Levites as His. By reading these two words as והי ולי, you have the first 2 of the 72 worded name of G–d. By combining 72 with the numerical value of ישראל=541, you get 613. In other words, Israel and the "great" name of G–d correspond to the whole of Torah. Viewed differently: The three camps כהונה, לויה, ישראל, that are 72 times 3, surround the core i.e. the tablets, which in turn are 3 times 72=216. Whenever the Jewish people broke camp, the flag of the camp of Yehudah featuring אריה=216, was the first to start marching.