Using Gematria (גמטריא) to analyze Deuteronomy 6:4, could the value of "Echad" (אֶחָֽד) be synonymous with 13 attributes of God?

Question

Using Gematria (גמטריא), the word Echad (אֶחָֽד) equals 13. Why would "One" be valued as 13?

Deuteronomy 6:4 [MT] "Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God; the Lord is one." (שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהֹוָ֥ה | אֶחָֽד).

Finding Gematria Value of "Echad" (אֶחָֽד)

Alef (אֶ) equals 1.
Chet (חָֽ) equals 8.
Dalet (ד) equals 4.

"Echad" (אֶחָֽד) equals 1+8+4 = 13.

Could this hidden value be synonymous with 13 attributes of God?

I'm not sure what you mean by "could". If two words share a gematria value then I guess, sure, you could draw them together. Are you asking whether any commentators have discussed this? — rosends, Sep 21 '20 at 20:39

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 21 '20 at 15:46

2

Maharal observes that the 13 "midos" (traits?) of Hashem all belong as one whole; the twelve months of the year need a 13th month to average back to one solar year; and only with Yaakov present (12+1) can his twelve sons call out shema yisrael Hashem elokeinu Hashem ECHAD. And we conclude the Seder with Echad Mi Yodeya, with the thirteen traits of Hashem concluding with His One-ness.

answered Sep 21 '20 at 15:46

Shalom

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Address in maharal please. 13 are the 13 midot of keter following the tomer dvora – kouty Sep 21 '20 at 20:03

Using Gematria (גמטריא) to analyze Deuteronomy 6:4, could the value of "Echad" (אֶחָֽד) be synonymous with 13 attributes of God?

1 Answers1