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Who knows thirty-nine?

Please cite/link your sources, if possible. After about one business day, I will:

  • Upvote all interesting answers.

  • Accept the best answer.

  • Go on to the next number.

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5 Answers

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The 39 Avos Melachos (Primary types of Forbidden labor) on Shabbos (Shabbos 7:2 , Mishneh Torah (Shabbos) 7:1)

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I should get 39 upvotes for every one of yours:) – Jeremy May 17 '10 at 21:01
Helvai that we should have so many users! – Isaac Moses♦ May 18 '10 at 15:10
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Checkmark for not being afraid to go with the most familiar and bring sources. – Isaac Moses♦ May 18 '10 at 15:12
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up vote 5 down vote

The maximum number of lashes one may receive (I'll try to add sources)

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Except according to Rabi Yehudah who holds 40! Makkos, 6b – Yahu May 17 '10 at 18:44
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Do you mean 40 factorial?! – Isaac Moses♦ May 17 '10 at 20:55
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Sorry. I meant "Except according to Rabi Yehudah who holds 40! Makkos, 22a" and not factorial! – Yahu May 24 '10 at 20:39
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up vote 3 down vote

39 was the righteous King Yoshiyahu's age when he was killed in battle. He was crowned king at age 8, and ruled 31 years. (II Kings 22:1)

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39 was Shmuel's age when he succeeded to the leadership of the Jewish People, after the death of Eli Hakohen. (Rashi to I Sam. 1:22)

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up vote 1 down vote

39 Toledot melacha for each Av melacha on Shabbat.

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Not sure I understand. You mean each Av has its own 39 toledot (holy toledot!)? Is there a source for that? Or each Av has only 1? The example I recall is "planting" has: watering, fertilizing, and grafting. That's neither 1 nor 39. – Shalom May 17 '10 at 15:51
Woops, I forgot pruning. But even so. 1 < Toledot < 39. – Shalom May 17 '10 at 16:06
Yes, 39 for each of the 39, making 1521 toledot, plus 39 avot, for a total of 1560. I think it is a Tosefos in perek Klal Gadol in masechet Shabbos, but can't find it right now, and Google only pointed me to a messianic Judiasm site in the UK. – Jeremy May 17 '10 at 16:52
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