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Knicks' Championship Win Sparks Divine Intervention Talk Among Jewish Fans Over 613 Connection

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Some Jewish fans of the New York Knicks are attributing the team's NBA championship win to divine intervention, citing the date June 13 (6/13) as significant.
  • The number 613 holds meaning in Jewish tradition as the number of commandments in the Torah and was also the number of career wins for former Jewish Knicks coach Red Holzman.
  • This connection to 613, along with the numerical value of 26 (gematria for God's name), has led some to believe the championship was a miraculous event.

For some Jewish fans of the New York Knicks, the team's NBA championship win on June 13 was more than just a sporting achievement; it was a sign of divine intervention. The most significant number for these fans was not the score or the years since the last title, but 613.

Today is 6/13. There are 613 commandments in the Torah. Tonight, the Knicks are the champions. 🧡🩵

— Simone WeichselbaumA native New Yorker, Simone Weichselbaum tweeted about the significance of the date and the number 613 in relation to the Knicks' championship win.

This number holds deep meaning in Jewish tradition, representing the 613 commandments in the Torah. It also hangs from the rafters at Madison Square Garden, honoring Red Holzman, the Jewish coach who led the Knicks to championships in 1970 and 1973, and whose career win total was 613.

The confluence of the date 6/13 and the significance of 613 has led to widespread discussion online. "Today is 6/13. There are 613 commandments in the Torah. Tonight, the Knicks are the champions," tweeted Simone Weichselbaum. Yossi Farro shared an image highlighting the 613 connection, writing, "Faith. History. Legacy. Amazing how sometimes everything comes full circle." Moshe Spern noted the additional resonance of 26, the remaining part of the date, as the gematria for a Hebrew name for God, calling the event "a miracle!!"

Faith. History. Legacy. Amazing how sometimes everything comes full circle.

— Yossi FarroYossi Farro, known for posting pictures of Jewish celebrities applying prayer phylacteries, tweeted an image connecting the Knicks' lore to the number 613.

This connection was not new for some. In 1998, psychologist Ike Hershkopf told the New York Jewish Week that he had informed Holzman about the significance of 613, calling it the "single most special number in the Jewish religion." Hershkopf stated that he told Holzman that the highest praise for a Jew is to call them a "613 man." Holzman was reportedly so moved that he framed the letter and shared copies with friends.

And 26 is the gematria of Hashems name. Today is a miracle!!

— Moshe SpernMoshe Spern, an educator and activist, noted the numerical significance of 26 in relation to God's name, adding to the belief in divine intervention.

Rabbi Justin Pines of the Jewish Broadcasting Service recently questioned whether the Holzman banner was a "coincidence? Or a divine reminder hanging right over the court?" The championship win has thus become a focal point for discussions about faith, history, and legacy among some Jewish fans.

I wrote a letter telling him that 613 is the single most special number in the Jewish religion, signifying the number of commandments that an observant Jew observes. I told him the highest praise that one could give to a Jew is to say he is a 613 man.

— Ike HershkopfThe Manhattan psychologist told the New York Jewish Week in 1998 about his conversation with Red Holzman regarding the number 613.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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