For generally obeying the Torah “That you might fear the Lord your God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, you, and your son, and your grandson, all the days of your life; and that your days may be prolonged”.

Long life is not always viewed favourably, however, Ecclesiastes declaring that “those years arrive of which you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’.”

Care of the aged has always been basic to Jewish life, linked to the plea of the Psalmist: “Do not cast me off in old age when my strength fails, do not forsake me!”. In ancient times, this was closely linked to the commandment of honouring one's parents and the family looked after the elderly. Where there was no family, the aged were cared for by the community as a whole. In recent centuries, the home for the aged (Moshav Zekenim) became an integral feature of Jewish communal life and most communities supported such an institution.

If the old say “tear down” and the children “build” - tear down. For the “destruction” of the old is construction; the “construction” of the young is destruction.

If a person studies when he is old, to what may he be compared? To ink written on paper that is blotted out.

For the ignorant, old age is like winter; for the studious, it is harvest time.

An old man in the house is a burden; but an old woman is a treasure.

Do not dishonour the old; we shall one day be among them.