So this Shabbat falls on Friday the thirteenth. Fear of the number thirteen is called triskadekaiphobia.  Jewish traditions, interestingly, seem to have a triskadekaiphilia, an attraction to instead of a repulsion from thirteen.

Who knows thirteen? Thirteen are the attributes of G-d, the principles of faith elucidated by Maimonides, and of course the year of celebrating Bnai Mitzvah. Thirteen is the numerical value of the Hebrew letters that spell love, ahavah, and twice thirteen is the value of G-d’s four letter name. We do not seem to fear thirteen. I have always heard the discrepancy has to do with a particularly Christian association: the addition of Judas to the Last Supper adding up to thirteen.

However, I recently heard an interesting theory that is more universal. Thirteen is a symbol of the unknown because in ancient times, humans were very comfortable counting up to twelve on ten fingers and two feet, but that next number was mysterious and beyond their grasp. Whether or not this has any anthropological merit it drives home the idea of how things that are unknown can either be occasions for fear or anticipation.

Just as the Jewish tradition embraces the number thirteen, we also have a built in sense of hope rather than dread in facing the unknown.  We are reminded of this as we move through the days of Elul, the month leading up to the New Year celebration of Rosh Hashanah.   

No one knows how the new year will unfold, but we greet the new year with celebration, not trepidation. 

May each day bring new blessings and the seasons unfold with joy.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Michael