Project Genesis




Enoch

Question: Whats the deal with Enoch? In Genesis it says “Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away” Does this mean Enoch never died and if he didn’t, why would G-d “take” him. Is he a particularly holy man? Not much is said in the Torah and the Book of Enoch isn’t considered a part of the Torah and therefore not able to be considered.

Answer: Thanks for your interesting question. Here’s the commentary of Rashi, from the Midrash: “Enoch was a righteous man, but vulnerable to turning to sin. Therefore (to save him from that) G-d hurried and took his life early.”

One can tell that his time was early by comparing with the ages of the other descendants of Seth, all of which are much closer to a thousand years old. There’s a lot written about him in the Midrash and Kabbalistic works, as one of the two who never died – him and Elijah.

Best wishes,
Michoel Reach

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