Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Noah live for 950 years?
A: According to Rashi and other commentaries, people in the early generations lived much longer lives because the world was closer to its original state of perfection after creation. Noah lived a long life as part of that era, though his lifespan was shorter than those before the flood (like Methuselah who lived 969 years). The gradual shortening of lifespans reflects the spiritual decline of humanity.
Q: What is the significance of recording Noah's age at death?
A: The Torah carefully records the ages of the early generations to show the gradual decrease in human lifespans after creation. As the Ramban explains, this demonstrates how the world became more physically and spiritually distant from the perfection of Eden. Noah's lifespan marks a transitional point between the extremely long-lived early generations and the shorter lifespans that would follow.
Q: How does Noah's long life connect to his righteousness?
A: The Midrash teaches that Noah's longevity was connected to his righteousness - he merited long life because he walked with G-d (Genesis 6:9). However, commentaries note that while Noah lived longer than later generations, his lifespan was shorter than his ancestors', showing that even the righteous were affected by the spiritual decline of their era.
Q: Why does the Torah mention that Noah died after telling his age?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 108b) learns from this phrasing that Noah's death wasn't due to any punishment - it was the natural conclusion of his allotted years. Unlike the generation of the flood who died prematurely as punishment, Noah completed his full lifespan, showing he remained righteous until the end.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Noah living 950 years?
A: The Sages teach that Noah's long life demonstrates how much one can accomplish when dedicated to serving G-d. Despite living in an evil generation, Noah spent centuries building the ark, spreading G-d's message, and repopulating the world. His life teaches us about perseverance in righteousness even when surrounded by corruption.
The Lifespan of Noach
The verse states: "And all the days of Noach were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died." (Bereishit 9:29). This concludes the account of Noach's life, which spanned nearly a millennium. The Torah emphasizes his lifespan to contrast the generations before and after the Mabul (Flood).
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Bereishit 9:29) notes that Noach lived fewer years than his ancestors (e.g., Adam, Shet, and Metushelach, who lived over 900 years). He explains that the Flood weakened Noach's vitality, as the verse states, "For the earth is filled with violence because of them" (Bereishit 6:13), implying that the corruption of the world affected even the righteous Noach.
Rambam on Longevity
Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 2:47) discusses the extended lifespans of early generations, suggesting that before the Flood, human physiology and the natural world were fundamentally different. The post-Flood era introduced changes in climate and sustenance, leading to shorter lifespans.
Midrashic Insights
Kabbalistic Perspective
The Zohar (Bereishit 59a) teaches that Noach's years correspond to divine providence—his 950 years reflect the 9.5 centuries of divine patience before the Flood. His death marks the transition to a new era under the covenant with Avraham.