ChatGPT and Kedar-LaOmer
ChatGPT’s output is quite convincing. Its writing style projects sophistication and therefore competence, even when it knows nothing. See for example this article, ChatGPT - Artificial but Amazingly Accurate.
Here, I present a recent chat I had had with ChatGPT, to see if it could figure out a dvar Torah (perhaps in the loosest use of the term) I was giving this past Shabbat about Lech Lecha.
Me: what day was the first day of the Omer count in 2024?
ChatGPT: In 2024, the first day of the Omer count began on the evening of Monday, April 22 and continued through Tuesday, April 23. The counting of the Omer starts on the second night of Passover, which was on that date in 2024.
Me: wasn't that date the first night of Passover?
ChatGPT: In 2024, the first night of Passover began at sundown on Monday, April 22. The counting of the Omer traditionally starts on the second night of Passover, which would be the evening of Tuesday, April 23. Therefore, the first day of the Omer count in 2024 was from the evening of April 23 through the day of April 24. (links to sources)
Oops! Continuing…
Me: So, what would be the 224th day of the Omer?
ChatGPT: The 224th day of the Omer in 2024 would fall on Sunday, December 1.
Here's how this is calculated:
The first day of the Omer was April 23, 2024.
Counting 223 days from April 23 brings us to December 1, 2024.
This would be the 224th day in the Omer count sequence.
Me: Can you double check this via a Python program?
ChatGPT: The 224th day of the Omer in 2024 would actually fall on Monday, December 2, not December 1.
Me: What about the 204th day of the Omer? Again, via Python program.
ChatGPT: The 204th day of the Omer in 2024 would fall on Tuesday, November 12.
Me: Doesn't the Omer count actually end on day 49?
ChatGPT: You're correct—the traditional counting of the Omer ends on the 49th day. The Omer period spans seven weeks, ending the day before the holiday of Shavuot.
In Judaism, there isn’t typically an "Omer count" beyond the 49th day. However, if you were calculating days as if the count extended beyond that traditional period, those dates we calculated would be accurate for a theoretical extension.
Me: There is a king in this week's parasha, Kedar-la'omer. What is the gematria of כדר?
ChatGPT: The gematria of "כדר" (Kedar) is 224.
Me: And דר?
ChatGPT: The gematria of "דר" (Dar) is 204.
Me: Today is Nov 8. So how man I make a cutesy devar Torah on the basis of this?
ChatGPT: Here’s a playful approach for your devar Torah:
Devar Torah: "Counting Our Days"
In this week’s parasha, we encounter the enigmatic figure of King Kedarla'omer, whose name sparks curiosity. What can we glean from this name? Let’s look at the gematria of "כדר" (Kedar) and "דר" (Dar), which total 224 and 204, respectively.Now, today’s date, November 8, has a connection to these numbers. If we imagine an "extended" counting of the Omer beyond the traditional 49 days (a fun thought experiment!), we’d find the 224th day of this hypothetical Omer would fall on December 2. And interestingly, the 204th day of this extended count would be November 12—just a few days from now.
What could this connection to "Kedar" and "Dar" mean? The word dar (דור) can also mean "generation" in Hebrew. This coincidence invites us to reflect on the importance of counting our days and appreciating the legacy we carry forward. Just as each day in the Omer counts toward a larger goal, so too each generation builds upon the last.
It’s a light, creative way to weave gematria, dates, and meaning into your devar Torah!
Me: Nah, you didn't figure it out. :(
ChatGPT: Ah, I see I missed the mark there! Let’s try this again with a fresh approach.
Devar Torah: “Divine Coincidences and Hidden Messages”
In this week’s parasha, we meet Kedarla’omer, a mysterious king whose name hints at deeper layers of meaning. Breaking down the name with gematria, we find something striking: כדר (Kedar) totals 224, while דר (Dar) adds up to 204. Today’s date, November 8, lies right between these two numbers, as we approach the 204th day of our "extended Omer count" on November 12 and the 224th on December 2.
Could this be coincidence? Perhaps, but let’s dig a little deeper.
In Hebrew, dar (דר) suggests dwelling or habitation, while kedar (כדר) might remind us of darkness or murkiness. Together, they represent the journey from unclear beginnings to a sense of "home" or "dwelling"—from confusion to clarity, exile to redemption. This mirrors our lives: we sometimes wander through “224” (uncertainty), striving until we find our “204” (a sense of belonging and purpose).
Would this come closer to what you were thinking?
Me: How about "ke" is Hebrew means "approximately" which works out to the date?
ChatGPT: That's a brilliant insight! Here’s how we could turn that into a devar Torah:
Devar Torah: “Ke-Dar: Approximate, Yet Precise”
In this week’s parasha, we meet King Kedarla’omer, whose name can offer us a surprising and timely lesson. Let’s look at the word כדר (Kedar), where "כ" in Hebrew can mean "approximately" or "like." This gives us “approximately Dar” or “like Dar.”
When we delve into the gematria of כדר (224) and דר (204), something fascinating happens. Today, November 8, lies almost exactly between these two numbers. This “approximate” alignment resonates with the very essence of "כ" – it’s close, but not exact.
So what’s the takeaway? Sometimes, life doesn’t give us precise answers or perfect timing; we often live in the space of “approximately.” Just as the dates align almost but not exactly with today, we’re reminded that not everything needs to be exact to have meaning. Like Kedarla'omer, we might find purpose even in the “approximate” moments of life—where meaning emerges when we’re open to a little divine ambiguity.
Does this capture the cleverness you had in mind?
Of course, Nov 8 doesn’t lie between these numbers, since Nov 8 is before Nov 12. The really bad pun is that today, November 12, is Dar La’omer. And on Shabbat, it was approximately, ke, “Dar” La’Omer.