13 is a lucky number!! In this bracha, we ask Hashem to bless the righteous people among our nation and those of other nations as well. We ask that in His Mercy, He arouse His compassion and see each one of us as striving to be like them. The Torah scholars, those who take leadership roles in the community and those who join the Jewish people as sincere converts are listed as those, who love and fear God with all their being, By praising and honoring these elevated people and by clinging to them it is as if we cling to God Himself.