The Number 13 in Gematria and Kabbalah

Gematria is a Hebrew form of numerology. Hebrew is especially suited to this type of interpretation because each Hebrew letter represents a number. Actually is a number. There are no numerals. Only letters. I had a dream about the number 13 approximately two years ago. It was unusual enough to spark an interest in Gematria which has been ongoing. You can read about this dream here.

In Gematria the Hebrew word 'v'ahavta' (love) has a value of 13, as does the word 'echad' (one). Both words represent key concepts in Jewish thought. The Zohar, an important Kabbalistic work, speaks of the 13 Qualities of Compassion and the 13 petalled rose. Maimonides defined 13 Principles of faith. There are 13 months in the lunar year and the Hebrew calendar is a lunar one. My Hebrew name has a gematria of 13. I was 13 when I began reading Tarot.

I was aware of some of these associations prior to the dream but not all. I hope to blog more about Gematria going forward.