Jewish Perspective on Rising Life Expectancy – Faith, Science, and Divine Providence

Jewish faith teaches that a person’s lifespan is predetermined (though there is debate about whether mitzvot or sins can extend or shorten it). At the same time, we see that the average lifespan in the modern Western world has been steadily increasing, closely linked to advances in medicine and to growing public awareness of health and nutrition.

What should a believer’s attitude be toward this increase in life expectancy? Does it mean that God has decided to gradually lengthen human life? Can the two perspectives be reconciled without sounding like a forced explanation?

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Shalom and blessings,

During the Middle Ages, terrible diseases killed countless people. In Europe, illnesses like pneumonia and tuberculosis took the lives of many relatives while still young, and infant mortality was very high. This gave the impression that throughout human history people always died young, until modern science arrived. However, this is far from accurate.

In fact, all cultures around the world had a similar proportion of elderly people, even in places that were not technologically advanced, such as ancient China, Japan, and Greece. Archaeological evidence also shows that the elderly were by no means rare; grandparents were found in every extended family in every ancient society.

In the Book of Psalms, we find a statement from over 2,000 years ago about human life expectancy: “The days of our years are seventy years, and if with strength, eighty years” (Psalms 90).

This is essentially the same as the current average lifespan in Western society today.

The role of Divine Providence

It is God who decides which diseases will be common or rare, when and how humanity will overcome certain illnesses, and whether a particular culture will enjoy a longer or shorter lifespan — as well as the quality of life in each society.

If we suddenly enjoy longer lives, it means God has decided to grant us this blessing, and He may do so through medical progress, improved nutrition, or other means.

In our generation, we are moving toward the Final Redemption, a time when the material state of humanity will improve dramatically. This improvement is intended to prepare the world for a refined way of life in which people can study Torah and fulfill mitzvot in complete comfort, without suffering. Advances in science and technology are part of this preparation process.

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On fate and change

While prayer is incredibly powerful and can bring about miracles, there is first and foremost a destiny assigned to each person: whether they will be rich or poor, healthy or sick, how long they will live, and when they will die.

The Talmud (Niddah 16b) teaches: Rabbi Chanina bar Papa said: The angel appointed over pregnancy is called “Night.” He takes a drop [of seed], brings it before God, and says: “Master of the Universe, what will be with this one — strong or weak, wise or foolish, rich or poor?” But righteous or wicked — he does not say.

The only thing not decreed from Heaven is whether a person will be righteous or wicked, but all other physical aspects of life are determined before birth. It is very difficult to change what has been decreed, though it is possible. For example, the Talmud tells how Rabbi Akiva’s daughter was saved from death through an act of charity. Similar stories exist of people whose lives were extended through prayer, repentance, and charity.

Even so, prayer always brings a Jew closer to the Creator and benefits the soul in ways the person may not expect. The outcome, however, depends entirely on God, who knows each person’s true needs and the ultimate good for their soul.

The strongest proofs for the truth of Judaism are not based on answered prayers, but on historical evidence of God’s revelation to the Jewish people.