Surviving a family curse through torah and generosity

Hi,

An interesting passage with all sorts of lessons, in terms of virtue, in terms of collective family responsibility and in terms of predestination:

[Note: The family of Eli the Kohen was punished by Gd, that all of their descendants would perish in their youth. For more on this, see the beginning of Samuel I.]

"Abbaye and Rabbah both came from the family of Eli. Rabbah, who involved himself especially in Torah study, lived to be 40 years old. Abbaye, who involved himself especially in Torah study and acts of generosity, lived to be 60 years old."

(Talmud, Rosh HaShanah 18a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai