Friday the 13th For Jews Means What?

 Nadene Goldfoot                                               

A Jewish boy automatically becomes a bar mitzvah on his 13th Hebrew birthday by Jewish law, regardless of whether a ceremony is held. However, the formal synagogue celebration typically happens on a day when the Torah is publicly read—such as Saturday morning (Shabbat), Monday, Thursday, or certain Jewish holidays—rather than Friday.                                      

While Friday evening (Erev Shabbat) is the start of Shabbat, a full public Torah reading does not take place during the Friday night service. Some congregations do include a Friday night component where the boy helps lead specific prayers, presents or receives a tallit (prayer shawl), or participates in a service, but the primary call to the Torah (aliyot) and chanting traditionally happens on Saturday morning or on a weekday morning when the Torah is read.

So, at the age of 13, a Friday being the 13th of that month means nothing to the boy.  It is a special month for his 13th birthday.  

                             Wars Starting on Friday 13th

But....Yes, the Twelve-Day War between Israel and Iran began on Friday, June 13, 2025. Additionally, in Jewish history and tradition, major battles were fought on the 13th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, though Judaism operates on a lunisolar calendar and does not attach superstition to the Western "Friday the 13th."  The Twelve-Day War (June 13, 2025). Israel launched Operation Rising Lion in the early morning hours of Friday, June 13, 2025. Over 200 Israeli fighter jets struck Iranian nuclear facilities, ballistic missile sites, and military leadership, sparking a 12-day war that concluded with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on June 24.

2026 Iran War Escalation (March 13, 2026). While the broader 2026 conflict began in February, significant military escalations—including heavy exchanges of fire and the loss of a U.S. military aircraft—occurred on Friday, March 13, 2026.  Notable Jewish Battles on the 13th or a Friday
The Battle of Purim (13th of Adar). In the biblical Book of Esther, the Jews of the Persian Empire fought to defend themselves against Haman's decree on the 13th day of the Hebrew month of Adar. Because this date follows the lunar-solar Hebrew calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar, its day of the week changes every year. 
The Day of Nicanor (13th of Adar, 161 BCE). During the Maccabean Revolt, Judah Maccabee defeated the Seleucid general Nicanor at the Battle of Adasa on the 13th of Adar. This victory was historically celebrated as a minor festival in Judea.
1948 Arab–Israeli War (Friday, May 14, 1948). David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel on a Friday, just one day after the 13th. Neighboring Arab armies invaded the following day, Saturday, May 15, which is the Jewish Shabbat.  
Cultural Context
No Superstition in Judaism. The fear of Friday the 13th is a Western, Gregorian-calendar superstition that does not exist in Jewish tradition. In fact, the number 13 is traditionally viewed as auspicious in Judaism, corresponding to the age of a Bar Mitzvah and the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy. 

So where does Friday the 13th get such a superstition?

Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition. It occurs when the 13th day of the month in the Gregorian calendar falls on a Friday, which happens at least once every year but can occur up to three times in the same year. For the 13th to fall on Friday, a month's first day must be a Sunday.origins.  

Unluckiness of 13

One source mentioned for the unlucky reputation of the number 13 is a Norse myth about twelve gods having a dinner party in Valhalla. The trickster god Loki, who was not invited, arrived as the thirteenth guest, and arranged for Höðr, the god of darkness, to shoot Balder, the god of joy and gladness, with a mistletoe-tipped arrow. Balder died, triggering much suffering in the world, which caused the number 13 to be considered unlucky.^[1][2]

Christian associations

The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci,picture of a Passover of the 1st night. 

The superstition seems to relate to various things, like the story of Jesus's Last Supper and crucifixion in which there were thirteen individuals present in the Upper Room on the thirteenth of Nisan Maundy Thursday, the night before his death on Good Friday.  Interestingly enough, this pictured :The Last Supper was held during the Jewish holiday of Passover (Pesach).

According to the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), the meal was celebrated as a Passover Seder on the first night of the festival (Nisan 15), just before Jesus was crucified on Good Friday. (Note that the Gospel of John places the timing slightly differently, aligning the crucifixion with the slaughter of the Passover lambs.  After all, Jesus was said in their Christian literature to have been Jewish.  

So for a Jewish boy, hopefully past 13, though at 13 he is When a Jewish boy turns 13, he reaches the age of a Bar Mitzvah (which translates to "son of the commandment") and becomes a full-fledged adult under Jewish law (halakhah). 

Key Rights and Responsibilities at Age 13:

Religious and Moral Accountability: Responsibility for observing the commandments (mitzvot) of the Torah shifts from his parents to the boy himself. He is now held personally accountable for his own moral and religious choices.
Wearing Tefillin: He begins wearing tefillin (leather-strapped boxes containing Torah passages used during weekday morning prayers) on a daily basis. 
Participating in a Minyan: He can be counted as part of a minyan—the quorum of 10 Jewish adults required for communal prayer services.
Leading Services and Reading the Torah: He is permitted to lead prayer services, be called up to the bimah to recite the blessings over the Torah (aliyah), and read from the Torah or Haftarah in the synagogue.
Community Roles: In traditional Jewish law, turning 13 also marks the age where he can legally testify as a witness in a religious court or take on other adult community obligations.


But in most states, a child has to be 16 to drive a car, so don't get over-excited, kids.  


Resource:
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/bar-and-bat-mitzvah-101/

 lambs)

The Synagogue's Cruse of Oil That Demanded Re-filling (Hanukkah)

 Nadene Goldfoot                                                  

What was the meaning of having a cruse of oil always lit in one's synagogue, especially the one in Jerusalem ?  What did it stand for?  Why did runners run to the nearest town that would have oil to refill the Synagogue's cruse that had about burned out after being in hands of the enemy?                           

The Ner Tamid (Hebrew for "Eternal Light" or "Everlasting Flame") is a lamp that hangs above or directly in front of the Holy Ark (Aron Kodesh) in a synagogue.

The phrase "everlasting curse of light" refers to two distinct, foundational concepts in Jewish tradition that have similar-sounding names: the Ner Tamid (the "Everlasting Light" in a synagogue) and the Miracle of the Cruse of Oil (the central miracle of Hanukkah). 

There is no "curse" associated with light in Judaism; rather, these terms reflect a blend of the synagogue's permanent lamp and the small jug (cruse) of oil that burned for eight days. 

               1. The Ner Tamid (The Everlasting Light)

Every synagogue sanctuary features a continuously burning lamp hanging above or in front of the Torah Ark (Aron Kodesh), known in Hebrew as the Ner Tamid (Eternal or Everlasting Light). 

Biblical Origin: In the Torah, God commands the Israelites to bring pure, beaten olive oil to keep a lamp burning continually (ner tamid) in the Tabernacle (Mishkan) and later in
 the Holy Temple in Jerusalem (Exodus 27:20–21 and Leviticus 24:1–
 the reason for the light is to give honor to the Divine Presence that rests wherever a quorum of Jews gather to pray.  To me, this represents that G-d is with those who struggle to continue following Moses' precepts-maybe not all 613, of which many are being following automatically in our daily lives unbeknown to to, as well.  It is the reminder of who we are. and how we behave.  
During the period of the Second Temple (~516 BCE – 70 CE), in around 200 BCE, Antiochus III, the Seleucid king of Syria, took control over the kingdom of Judea. He allowed the Jews living in Judea autonomous rule for some time, but then his son Antiochus IV replaced him. Trying to unify his kingdom, Antiochus IV prohibited Jews from practicing Judaism and commanded them to worship Greek gods.             

       Which way to town?  



This resulted in civil war between ruling Hellenized factions that had been installed by Antiochus IV and traditionalists. The rebels were led by the priest Matityahu of Modiin, known as the Maccabees. After two years of guerrilla warfare, the rebels were able to overthrow Seleucid rule. 
In the traditional Hanukkah story, the runners do not run from Jerusalem for oil; rather, in modern Hanukkah celebrations, a torch relay runs from Modi'in to Jerusalem
Historical background      
Ancient Modi'in (also spelled Modin or Moditha) was a small Jewish village in the western foothills of Judea, located about 20 miles northwest of Jerusalem. It is best known in ancient history as the hometown of the Hasmonean (Maccabean) priestly family and the birthplace of the Maccabean Revolt. 
Key Historical Milestones
Spark of the Revolt (167 BCE): In Modi'in, the elderly priest Mattathias was ordered by officials of the Seleucid Empire (under Antiochus IV Epiphanes) to offer a pagan sacrifice. When another Jew stepped forward to comply, Mattathias killed him and the royal officer, then tore down the pagan altar—an act that ignited the Jewish revolt for religious and political freedom. 
The Hasmonean Tombs: Mattathias and his sons (including Judah the Maccabee, Jonathan, and Simon) were buried in Modi'in. Simon later built a grand family sepulchre adorned with towering stone pyramids, colonnades, and ships visible from afar. 
 Many Jews went along with these demands and were known as Hellenized Jews. Tensions rose and in 168 BCE Antiochus IV invaded Jerusalem, killing thousands, and erected an altar to Zeus in the temple.   Along with a statue of Zeus, the sacrifice of pigs (a normal practice in ancient Greek worship) began to take place in the temple.
Modern Day Application
In days gone by, the ner tamid was an actual flame. In the modern era, however, using light bulbs or LED lighting has become ubiquitous and perfectly acceptable. (Note that many Chabad congregations are not particular to have a ner tamid.) 

HAMAS; Enemy of Both Contenders For PM of Israel

 Nadene Goldfoot                                             

       Mohammed  Abu Ismail  had lasted for two months hiding out in                                                    hospital 

Negotiations continue as Eisenkot tries to form a government. Last night, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Eisenkot held a 2 hour security briefing. According to a joint statement issued by Netanyahu and Eisenkot after the meeting, 

Eisenkot was briefed on “the security and diplomatic challenges facing the State of Israel at this time.” The two agreed to continue exchanging updates as needed.

The IDF yesterday11/12/26 struck a senior Hamas commander who was operating from a restricted section of Nassar Hospital, which Hamas had converted into a military headquarters. The strike, carried out shortly after midnight in Khan Younis, targeted Mohammed Abu Ismail, commander of Hamas' Khan Younis Brigade, along with several other operatives allegedly operating inside the hospital.

This is the publicity Hamas gets by allowing strike to happen without  getting people to their bomb shelter, which, of course, they refuse to have, or to leave the hospital. " An overnight Israeli airstrike hit the surgical wing of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killing at least six people and wounding more than 20 to 40 others."And another from YNet said:  An Israeli military strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killed at least six people and wounded over 20 others, according to reports covered by Ynetnews and international media.  Target & Location: The strike hit areas in and around Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, impacting parts including the surgical and intensive care departments. Casualties: At least six people were killed—including a doctor and a 13-year-old boy—and more than 20 to 40 others were injured. So the question remains;  1/6  was it worth it?  One has to realize that one was a leader, and without a leader, acts of violence might not happen, and he only lasted 2 months on the job.  Who wants such a job?  Sadly for Israel, another radical extremist could step up to do it.  There are enough meshuganas out there.  But maybe not.  That was their decision, evidently.  

 The IDF said, "Before the strike, precautionary measures were taken to minimize, as much as possible, harm to the hospital building and uninvolved civilians. The strike was carried out in a targeted manner against the room from which the brigade commander and the terrorists were conducting military activities."

The IDF also said, "Before carrying out the strike, the IDF repeatedly warned and demanded that military activity at the hospital cease, on several occasions, including recently" and that "The second floor of the hospital serves as a Hamas military headquarters, with civilians prohibited from entering and strict security maintained because it is used by the organization's commanders, including Mohammed Abu Ismail." Dozens of hostages had been held at Nasser Hospital during the war.

The Board of Peace subsequently condemned Hamas' "alleged" use of hospitals and other civilian infrastructure for military purposes. It also condemned the loss of life in the strike, but did not condemn Israel.

Meanwhile, the IDF has coordinated the entry of over 93,000 tents into Gaza in preparation for the winter, along with more than 8,600 trucks carrying winter supplies. Also, hundreds of trucks carrying medical equipment and medications have entered the Gaza Strip in recent weeks, with supplies delivered directly to hospitals and clinics. The IDF said, 

"Hamas remains the primary obstacle to the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip and a different future for its residents. Hamas continues to exploit humanitarian infrastructure and incoming humanitarian aid, particularly the winter supplies being brought into the Gaza Strip."

Resource:  

israel AM

https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-targets-top-hamas-commander-in-strike-on-south-gaza-hospital-6-said-killed/

Y net news 

Am Yisrael Chai