Bereishit
The Secret of (long) Longevity
This week, we begin reading the Torah again from the beginning, starting with Bereishit -- the story of creation -- in the Book of Genesis.
The Abarbanel devotes a disproportionate amount of detail to this Parsha. In fact, his comments on this individual Parsha make up more than a quarter of his commentary on the entire book!
One of the topics he addresses in detail is the mystery of the longevity achieved by many of the individuals mentioned early on in the Torah.
Adam's nine hundred and thirty years, Mesushelachs's nine hundred and sixty nine are just a few examples of how incredibly long people lived back then.
After quoting the Rambam and Ramban, who explain this phenomenon with their own interpretation, the Abarbanel adds his own twist.
He agrees with the Rambam that this extraordinary longevity was only for select individuals. The rest of the population had lifespans more in line with what we are used to today.
The Abarbanel also accepts the Ramban's premise that as the generations progressed and became further removed from Adam, the original man formed by G‑d Himself, the average human lifespan gradually decreased.
The question is: what was the purpose for this change? If there was something to be achieved by living such long lives, why did that cease to be important?
The Abarbanel explains, that those early generations required the many years to be able to make the necessary discoveries vital to all of humanity for the generations to come.
Without the luxury of time to notice patterns and develop ideas, it would be impossible for core ideas and sciences to be discovered.
Once these fundamentals are established, they can be taught and transmitted from one generation to the next in a much shorter period, removing the need for such extended lifespans.
The traditional Hebrew wishes for longevity is "Arichut yamim v'shanim tovot," literally -- long days and good years. In a letter to the then president of Israel, Mr. Zalman Shazar, in honor of his birthday, the Lubavitcher Rebbe explains the significance of these words.
The secret to many "good years" are "long days," which means in order for the results to be many years we can proud of, we need to ensure that every single day is day filled with constructive accomplishments. "Long days" filled with positive energy and results.
Shabbat Shalom!
Portuguese Jewish history is a rich tapestry of accomplishment and challenge spanning the centuries. Portugal's shores have produced and housed some of our greatest Rabbis and leaders. From statesman, leader and scholar Rabbi Don Yitzchak Abarbanel to Shulchan Aruch author Rabbi Yosef Karo in the 15th century through to the Lubavitcher Rebbe's time in Lisbon in 1941, Portugal has enabled tremendous developments in strengthening community and Torah.
It is in recognition of the timeless nature of these commitments, and in honor of all of those Jews who have called Portugal home through times of brilliance and darkness, that these Torah insight's from Portugal's great Rabbis is produced - here in Portugal.
Special thanks to Rabbi Shlomo Pereira for the Portuguese translation.