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Who knows eighty-seven?

Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point in the next few days, I will:

  • Upvote all interesting answers.

  • Accept the best answer.

  • Go on to the next number.

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2 Answers

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87 is the number of words in Baruch She'amar. It says that G-d is praised "in the mouth" -- בפה -- of his people. בפה has Gematria 87, for that reason. But some replace it with בפי, for grammatical correctness (even if it means losing the gematria).

Source: Rabbi Artscroll.

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My impression was that we all said b'fi until artscroll changed it. – YDK Aug 31 '10 at 20:38
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Nope - it goes back at least to the Arizal's siddur. – Alex Aug 31 '10 at 21:22
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87 years passed from the establishment of the Jewish kingship (when Shaul was crowned, in the year 2882 since creation) until they came under the domination of a foreign king (Shishak the king of Egypt, who invaded and conquered parts of the Land of Israel in the fifth year of King Rechavam, 2969 since creation - I Kings 14:25ff and II Chron. 12:2ff).

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That's all? Somewhat depressing, isn't it ... – Shalom Aug 31 '10 at 22:30
Well, they did later regain their independence for various periods of time. – Alex Aug 31 '10 at 23:06
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