Four factors in aging

Hi,

"Four factors cause old age to leap upon a person:

1. Fear as in the case of King David (Divrei haYamim I 21:30);

2. Anger regarding one's children as in the case of Eli (Shemuel I 2:22);

3. A bad spouse as in the case of King Solomon (Melachim I 11:4);

4. War as in the case of Yehoshua (Yehoshua 13:1)."

(Midrash Tanchuma, Parshat Chayyei Sarah 2)

המצפה לישועה,

Mordechai

How did they live so long? Part 2

Hi,

Another explanation for the long lives of the biblical males from Adam to Abraham:

"The reason for their long lives was that Adam the First, creation of Gd, was formed with the greatest perfection in beauty, strength and size. Even after it was decreed that he would be mortal, his nature was to live a long time. When the Flood came over the land, the atmosphere was ruined for them and their lifespans shrank. Until then their lives were that long, some of them living even longer than Adam lived…"

(Ramban to Bereishit 5:4)

המצפה לישועה,

Mordechai

How did they live so long? Part 1

Hi,

Regarding the long lifespans recorded for the line of biblical males from Adam down to Abraham:

"I say that none lived that long in those days, other than the one mentioned. Others lived natural, customary lifespans, and that person was unusual, with many possible explanations regarding his food and actions, or via miracle…"

(Rambam, Moreh haNevuchim 2:47)

המצפה לישועה,

Mordechai

Lengthen your lifespan!

Hi,

"Rav Yehudah said: Three things abbreviate a person's days and years: If he is given a Torah from which to read and he refuses, if he is offered a cup [of wine or grape juice] with which to bless Gd and he refuses, and if he acts in the manner of high office."

(Talmud, Berachot 55a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Guard your tongue

Hi,

"Who is the man who desires life, who loves his days, to see good? Guard your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Abandon evil and perform good, seek peace and pursue it."

(Psalms 34:13-14)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

A parent's influence

Hi,

"Rabbi Akiva said: A parent determines five traits in his child: Beauty, physical strength, wealth, wisdom and lifespan."

(Talmud, Eduyyot 2:9)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Controlled by Mazal

Hi,

There is much to say here - so much so that I will choose to leave it as an open canvas...

"Rava taught: Lifespan, children and livelihood depend not on merit, but on mazal."

(Talmud, Moed Katan 28a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Keys to long life

Hi,

"Rabbi Nechunyah ben Hakanah's students asked him: How did you merit long life?

"He replied: I never accepted honor at the expense of another person's honor, I never went to bed upset at someone else's curse (against me), and I was forgiving with my money."

(Talmud, Megilah 28a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai