The Wisdom of Age

Va’era

Exodus 6:2 - 9:35

Précis: God reiterates His intent to free the Israelites from bondage and to create a covenant with them. Moses goes back to Pharaoh to seek release of the Israelites. Pharaoh refuses and we see the first seven of the fabled plagues: blood, frogs, fleas, beetles, cattle disease, boils, and hail. Pharaoh relents after each plague begins, deciding to let the people go, but then God “hardens Pharaoh’s heart” and he refuses to allow them to leave.

Exodus 7:7 “Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three, when they made their demand on Pharaoh.”

If every word of Torah has importance, why does the text here list the ages of Moses and Aaron? Ibn Ezra notes that the ages of other prophets are usually not listed when they engage in their efforts, so the inclusion here is particularly noteworthy.

It is possible that the brothers remembered the appreciation of a previous Pharaoh of Jacob’s age (Gen. 47:7-10) and felt that this would help them gain the respect of the current ruler.

The Torah may also be teaching us that age can be a source of pride. The vigorous and elderly Moses and Aaron are capable of leadership and important tasks.

As we all age (and those of us of a certain age certainly feel this a bit more than we might once have!), we become concerned, even fearful, of aging. We associate old age these days with dementia, illness, and with the loss of abilities. We may strive to “stay young” through exercise, diet, or even cosmetic surgery. Some seem to seek a last chance at a gold ring and engage in reckless behaviors of all kinds.

Pirke Avot tells us that 80 is the age of “strength.” How can that be, since we know that a typical 20 or 40 year old has greater physical strength than one who is 80? The sages tell us that the strength at 80 derives from experience and wisdom. By the time we reach 80, the rabbis teach, we have transcended the passion and ambition which clouded our judgment at earlier ages. We have the ability to reflect on our lives, and take the measure of our successes and failures. This is the real meaning of strength.

Some say that 60 is the “new 40.” I would suggest that such a statement misses the point. We need to take pride in the wisdom which can be found only though accumulated experience. Aging and death are inevitable. The lesson of Moses and Aaron is that even in advanced years, one can continue to be vital and contribute to society.

A final personal note: I am fortunate to have a mother-in-law, Esther, who remains involved, influential, caring, thoughtful and helpful to her family, her congregation, and to her community at an age which exceeds even that of Moses or Aaron. Living her life as she does, she reminds me every day of the wisdom with which the older generations can be blessed. May she continue to go from strength to strength!