Approach of Days

Sources

We can understand the meaning of this verse by accepting what the sainted Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (Ari zal ) wrote in his book Kohelet Yaakov. He writes as follows: "You know that the souls have been divided up into numerous "sparks" of sanctity. These are destined to inhabit human beings on their various appearances on earth. The length of time a person lives on earth is directly related to how many of these sparks of sanctity -also known as tzelem -inhabit his body. Every day such a person performs G'd's commandments the condition of one of these "sparks" is enhanced…

Or HaChaim on Genesis 47:29:3

THY DAYS APPROACH THAT THOU MUST DIE. For there is a time set for each and everyone. I have previously explained this.

Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 31:14:1

ויקרבו ימי ישראל למות, “The time approached for Israel to die.” How did Yaakov know that his death was approaching? He realised that his strength was ebbing and this is why he wanted to make his last will in the presence of Joseph; however, at this stage he had not yet been taken ill. Later on, when he was taken ill (48,1) Joseph was informed of this. We find something similar before King David died. Kings I 2,1 speaks about “the time for David to die approached;” he himself said of himself: “I am going the way of all the earth” before giving his final instructions to his son Solomon.

Rabbeinu Bahya, Bereshit 47:29:1

AND THE DAYS DREW NEAR FOR ISRAEL TO DIE. R. Hiya said: ‘Why is the name Israel used here in connection with his death, whereas above it says, “And Jacob lived, etc.”?’ R. Jose said in reply: ‘Note here the word “days”, which is somewhat peculiar, since a man only dies on one day, in fact, in one instant.’

Zohar, Vayechi 29:245

ויקרבו ימי ישראל למות, whenever a person is reported as about to make his last will and testament to his children, the introductory phrase is that he felt death approaching, i.e. ויקרבו. When Yitzchok was about to bestow the blessing on Esau, the Torah also prefaced this by describing that he felt himself close to death (27,1-20) [even if the word for approaching used there was not the same as here, i.e. ויקרבו. Ed.] He did say: “I do not know the day of my death.” In Kings I 2,1 when David gives his final instructions to his son Solomon, we also read the preface ויקרבו ימי דוד למות ויצו…

Rashbam on Genesis 47:29:1

AND WHEN THE DAYS OF ISRAEL DREW NEAR TO DIE. This means when the time for Israel’s death approached, which was during the last year of his life, he called his son Joseph. The purport of it is that he felt exhaustion and undue weakness in himself, but he was not sick. Rather, he knew that he would not live much longer, and therefore he called his son Joseph. Now after Joseph returned to Egypt [from visiting with his father who lived in Goshen, Jacob] became ill, whereupon Joseph was informed, and he came before him with his two sons so that he [Jacob] would bless them…

Ramban on Genesis 47:29:1

(Deut. 31:14:) “Behold (hn) the days are drawing near for you [to die].” Moses said to the Holy One, blessed be He, “Master of the world, with the word that I [used to] praise You when I said (in Deut. 10:14), ‘Behold (hn) the heavens [and the heavens of the heavens, the earth and all that is in it] belong to the Lord your God’; by that [very word] (i.e., hn) you have condemned me to death?” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, “I am bringing you peace of mind, (as in Deut. 31:16), ‘Behold (hn-) you (-k) are [soon] to sleep with your ancestors….’” R…

Midrash Tanchuma, V'Zot HaBerachah 7:1

Unto three of the just was it told that the time of their death was drawing nigh, and that they should not attain to the days of their fathers; and each of them had been appointed a prince in his days; Jakob our father, David the king, and Mosheh the prophet; for thus it is written: And the Lord said unto Mosheh, Behold, thy day approacheth when thou must die. Call Jehoshua, and stand both of you in the tabernacle of ordinance, that I may give him charge. And Mosheh and Jehoshua went, and stood in the tabernacle of ordinance.

Targum Jonathan on Deuteronomy 31:14

Reish Lakish said: [God said:] ‘As you live, you will lie down, but you will not die,’ as it is stated: “The time for Israel to die approached.” What is “approached [vayikrevu]”? The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘The day complains against you, saying that it would stand still.’ It is like a person who says: ‘So-and-so has attacked [karav] another.’ That is “vayikrevu.”
Everyone in whose regard it is written that the time for him [to die] approached, did not reach the days of his ancestors…

Bereshit Rabbah 96:4

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