When Near Becomes Far - Old Age in Rabbinic Literature

When Near Becomes Far explores representations and depictions of old age in the rabbinic Jewish literature of late antiquity (150-600 CE). Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of aging in the rabbinic world: bodily appearance and sexuality, family relations, intellectual and cognitive prowess, honor and shame, and social roles and identity. The book shows that ancient rabbinic texts offer rich and moving observations on aging, many of which are still relevant today.