Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does the Torah list the ages when people had children, like Serug at 30?
A: The Torah lists ages to show the genealogy from Adam to Avraham. Rashi explains that these details help us trace the lineage and understand the timeline leading to the birth of Avraham, the father of the Jewish people.
Q: What is the significance of Serug in the Torah?
A: Serug is part of the ten generations from Noach to Avraham. While the Torah doesn't give many details about him, his role is important in maintaining the lineage that leads to Avraham, who would later establish monotheism and the covenant with Hashem.
Q: Why does the Torah mention Naĥor, Serug's son?
A: Naĥor is mentioned because he continues the line that leads to Avraham. The Rambam teaches that these genealogies highlight the chosen lineage through which the Jewish people and eventually the Torah would emerge.
Q: How does this verse connect to Jewish history?
A: This verse is part of the genealogy that connects Noach to Avraham. The Midrash explains that each generation played a role in preserving monotheism until Avraham, who fully dedicated himself to spreading belief in one G-d.
Q: What can we learn from Serug living 30 years before having Naĥor?
A: The Talmud teaches that people in earlier generations often lived much longer, but their childbearing years were still relatively early. This shows the importance of continuing the family line, a value that remains central in Jewish tradition today.
Context in the Torah
The verse "וַיְחִי שְׂרוּג שְׁלֹשִׁים שָׁנָה וַיּוֹלֶד אֶת־נָחוֹר" (Bereishit 11:20) appears in the genealogy from Shem to Avraham. This lineage is significant as it traces the righteous line leading to the Avot (Patriarchs). The Torah meticulously records the ages at which each generation fathered the next, emphasizing the continuity of tradition and the divine plan unfolding through these generations.
Rashi's Commentary
Rashi notes that the phrase "וַיְחִי שְׂרוּג" ("And Serug lived") is followed by his age at the birth of his son, Naĥor. Rashi explains that the Torah lists these details to establish the chronology leading to Avraham Avinu. He further comments that the word "וַיְחִי" ("and he lived") implies that Serug's life was meaningful and purposeful, as the term "חיים" (life) in Torah often connotes a life of righteousness and fulfillment of mitzvot.
Midrashic Insights
The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 38:13) elaborates on the significance of Serug's generation. It teaches that Serug lived during a time when idolatry was rampant, yet he maintained his faith in Hashem. The Midrash contrasts Serug with his contemporaries, highlighting his role in preserving monotheistic belief amidst widespread spiritual decline. This sets the stage for the eventual emergence of Avraham, the champion of monotheism.
Chronological Significance
The Seder Olam Rabbah and other traditional chronologies use these genealogical details to calculate the years from Creation to Yetziat Mitzrayim (the Exodus). Serug's age at Naĥor's birth (30 years) is part of this meticulous counting, reinforcing the precision of Torah's historical narrative. Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 1:3) also references these generations to trace the development of idolatry and the eventual rejection of it by Avraham.
Spiritual Lessons