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Yankel Nosson
02-25-2004, 02:45 PM
It recently struck me that the number thirteen, specifically the inyan of thirteen years, repeats itself in the gemara.

* When Rebbi took ill after not showing sufficient rachmones to the calf going to be shechted, it was thirteen years later when the illness was lifted.
* In the aggada about Rava and the beggar who wanted a fancy meal, Rava's sister had not seen him for thirteen years.
* The Rashb"i was in the cave for thirteen years. (Also, learned under Rebbi Akiva for thirteen years.)

What's the inyan of thirteen (years)?
stwill
02-25-2004, 02:50 PM
gematria of echa"d


also: bar Mitzvah
iamachassid
02-25-2004, 03:13 PM
13 middos harachamim
Yankel Nosson
02-25-2004, 03:30 PM
Yes, yes, but now for an explanation of the specific usage of thirteen years as used in the gemaras listed above....
Jude
02-25-2004, 05:37 PM
one can see how Rachmanus plays a role in each of those stories ..
Yankel Nosson
02-25-2004, 06:16 PM
Originally posted by Jude
one can see how Rachmanus plays a role in each of those stories ..
I don't see the rachmanes by the aggada of the Rashbi. Adaraba, when he came out from the cave, he lacked rachmanes on the "tachtonim" and had to go back for a year of tikkun.

Interestingly, in the aggada of Rabbi Akiva and his wife, he went off to study for twelve years, and then went back to study for another twelve.
Torah613
02-25-2004, 06:32 PM
Originally posted by Yankel Nosson

I don't see the rachmanes by the aggada of the Rashbi. Adaraba, when he came out from the cave, he lacked rachmanes on the "tachtonim" and had to go back for a year of tikkun.
That was after year 12.
Yankel Nosson
02-25-2004, 06:47 PM
Originally posted by Torah613
That was after year 12.
Good point. Year thirteen was the year of rachmanes. :lchaim:
Jude
02-25-2004, 07:44 PM
yup, thassa whad I sayd
Yankel Nosson
02-27-2004, 05:02 AM
iamachassid,

So far so good. Now: what is the significance that "Rabbi Yishmoel omer: haTorah nidreshes b'shlosh esreh midos..."?
Yankel Nosson
05-23-2005, 08:30 PM
Another question about thirteen: the gemara in Taanis speaks of fasting: three fasts, followed by three fasts, followed by seven fasts for a total of 13. Now, the 3/7 pattern is always related to sefiros. Is there a connection between 13 and sefiros as well? Three aspects of Kesser (taanug/ratzon/emunah)? Or Kesser/Chochma/Bina as distinct from Chochma/Bina/Daas? References welcomed!