Bet (Beis) is the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

The gematria of Bet (Beis) is 2.

Two represents duality and plural­ity. Everything in Creation was created in pairs. Man and woman, male and female. This bifurcation informs us that we are not G‑d. Only G‑d can be One. But for mankind to create, to reproduce, two are required. Beis also represents the level of intellect, in contrast to the alef, which represents faith.

The commentaries on the Torah ask, “Why does the Torah begin with the letter beis instead of an alef?” particularly when the Zohar states that the alef is the holiest letter (because it is first in the order of the alef-beis).

This is to hint to us that when we endeavor to acquire the understanding of Torah merely with our intellect, we are lacking the primary purpose of Torah: to become one with G‑d—the Alef.