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Who knows seventy-nine?

Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point in the next few days, I will:

  • Upvote all interesting answers.

  • Accept the best answer.

  • Go on to the next number.

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1 Answer

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79 is the oldest age at which it is possible to die as a result of Kares.

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Whose opinion is this? I seem to remember a מחלוקת in תוספות somewhere proposing 50 and 60 as possible cut-offs based on references to the ages of לויים in the תורה. . . – WAF Aug 19 '10 at 3:32
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The Gemara in Moed Katan 28a describes two types of kares: כרת דשני, kares of years, which is the "standard" premature death between ages 50-60. The other type is כרת דיומי, kares of days, which means a sudden death. This second type is only until one reaches the age of Gevuros, i.e., 80 years old. – Dave Aug 19 '10 at 4:30

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