Israeli Professor Reflects on Turning Sixty and Embracing Aging with Talmudic Wisdom

Professor Ruhama Weiss, an Israeli academic, recently turned sixty and shared her reflections on aging through the lens of Jewish tradition and personal experience. She recalls the Talmudic teaching of Judah ben Tema, which associates sixty years with old age, and contemplates the biological and social realities of reaching this milestone. Weiss describes the physical changes she has noticed, such as wrinkles appearing shortly after menopause, and her decision to accept these signs of aging without cosmetic alteration, viewing them as part of her personal growth.

She explores the concept of "old age" in Jewish texts, noting that cessation of menstruation marks the beginning of "old age" for women in both religious and medical contexts. Weiss highlights the social perceptions tied to aging, including how community recognition and respectful address influence one's status as "old." She reflects on the mixed feelings about receiving considerate gestures like offered seats on public transport, acknowledging the tension between denial and acceptance of aging.

Weiss also connects recent traumatic events in Israel, such as the October 7 attacks and ongoing violence, to a collective aging process, emphasizing the emotional toll these have taken. Despite these challenges, she expresses a sense of liberation at sixty, with reduced responsibilities and a renewed freedom to explore life’s meanings.

Looking ahead, Weiss and her daughter plan to spend a year on Ikaria, a Greek island known for its high longevity rates, to write about cultural contrasts and deepen her understanding of aging. She concludes with a call to return to Israel to oppose the current government and invites readers to visit her in Ikaria, embracing the Talmudic motto, "If not now, when?"