Numbers were assigned to each person and tattood on their arm when entering Nazi concentration camps. The number 175113 is portrayed on Vladek's arm in the book.
As the Polish priest in the comic points out, the number starts with 17 which is considered a good omen. It also ends with 13, which is the age a Jewish boy becomes a man. Moreover, if you add the numbers together they add up to 18, which is "Chai" the Hebrew number of life. The number seemed to suggest that Vladek will survive.
It is also important to note that the number 18 plays an important role in Vladek's life. his marriage was on February 14, 1937, so 2 + 14 + 1937= 1953, which adds up to 18. The number 18 also appears on few other occasions.
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