Q&A: The Count of the Commandments
The Count of the Commandments
Question
Where does the “holiness” of the number 613 come from? In other words, why do everyone—100% of the commentators and the medieval authorities (Rishonim)—agree that there are (only) 613 commandments? After all, it is just a gematria exposition from Rabbi Simlai! Why does that number obligate us to fit the count of the commandments under it?! It seems astonishing at first glance.
Answer
It is not 100% of the commentators. There were several who cast doubt on this number. See Nachmanides at the beginning of the glosses to the principles, and Gersonides did not accept it either, among others. Nachmanides says that it is indeed possible that this is what Rabbi Simlai arrived at in his count, but there is no binding number here. However, in the final analysis he argues that if everyone accepts it, then apparently there was a tradition here.