Lech Lecha 5782

Question: 17:1 This is the only place (I believe) where we find the age of someone at the beginning of a scene. What is so important that we need to be told of Avra(ha)m’s age at this juncture? Especially as the age is repeated at the end when he performs ברית מילה


Approach: Perhaps this is to explain to us the utter shock that is the backdrop to the whole story of ברית מילה and the promise of, not only a child, but a dynasty via this child - which takes on a far more personal and immediate implication compared with ברית מילה. And of course, the age serves to help understand the reaction of הלבן מאה שנה יולד.

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