When Legends Became Fathers Later in Life

Recently, it was announced that Rabbi Tzvi Kushelevsky embraced fatherhood for the first time at the age of 88, thanks to Hashem’s blessing.

Scholar Yisrael Shapira notes that since Abraham became a father at 100, several other renowned Jewish leaders have also had children in their later years. A story from the sages mentions Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korcha, who had a son at age 130 (Midrash "Shochar Tov" on Psalms, chapter 92).

Maran Rabbi Yosef Karo welcomed his son Yehuda when he was 83. Interestingly, three years prior, at the age of 80, Maran wrote in the introduction to the Shulchan Aruch: "Hashem, in His mercy and great kindness, will renew my youth like an eagle and grant me the merit to have sons engaged in Torah and guiding Israel. Hashem's reverence is their treasure. His Torah shall not depart from my mouth or the mouths of my descendants' descendants from now and forever." Clearly, Maran anticipated and was granted this miracle.

The parents of the holy Baal Shem Tov were said in the book "Shivchei Baal Shem Tov" to have been nearly 100 years old when he was born.

Solomon Vazan, the author of the book "Yeriot Shlomo," according to the book's introduction, married at 85 to a younger woman and had four children! Solomon Vazan even met Maran the Chida and passed away in the month of Nissan, year 5512.

The Maggid of Berdichev, one of the Baal Shem Tov's disciples, was known for his austerity, performing snow rolls daily. In his old age, he married a younger woman, who feared they would have no children. However, the holy Baal Shem Tov assured her otherwise, and indeed, at the age of 93, the Maggid of Berdichev became a father to a son and a daughter (Tzaror HaChaim).