Live until 120

The phrase "May you live until 120", [1] (in Hebrew: עד מאה ועשרים שנה‎; "Ad Mayah Ve-essrim Shana", or in Yiddish 120 ביז; "Biz Hundret un Tsvantsig"), often written as "till 120", is a Jewish blessing.

The most often cited source is Genesis 6:3.[2]

In Deuteronomy 34:7, the age of Moses upon his death is given as 120, but most importantly the text states "his eye had not dimmed, and his vigor had not diminished." [3] To have one's mental and physical faculties — that is why Jews wish someone via "till 120." [4]

Although the blessing is quite appropriate, it is often used in ways that show it to be a part of every day conversation.[5]

The number 120 even exists in humor, as in the story of a man who said to his noisy neighbor "May you live until 119" and then said to the wife "May you live until 120." When asked by the husband "why only until 119", the man who was seeking a bit of quiet said "she deserves one good year."

Another joke said is: "What do you say to someone on their 120th birthday? Have a nice day".

References

  1. ↑ http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22till+120%22+Sara+happy
  2. ↑ See http://www.ottmall.com/mj_ht_arch/v23/mj_v23i13.html#CCI
  3. ↑ Artscroll, p. 1123
  4. ↑ http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/364282/jewish/May-You-Live-Until-120..htm
  5. ↑ e.g. the title on http://www.ottmall.com/mj_ht_arch/v32/mj_v32i63.html#CRK


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