Seven Popular Jewish Mnemonic Devices

The Talmud, in Shabbos 104a says “Make yourself simanim [signs – as study and memory aids] in the Torah and thereby acquire it.

Among the best-known of such devices are:

Gematraios, or numeric equivalents
Rashei v’sofei teivot – acronyms and end letters
Seder AlefBet – alphabetical acrostics
M’shalim – proverbs, parable, allegories
Notarikon or contractions
Simana – catchwords
Grouping and totaling of concepts

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