A Jewish Call to Protect Our Elders in Retirement
By JCA on June 16, 2025
by Rabbi Evan Krame for the Washington Jewish Week
Americans are facing a crisis of aging. While retirement is often romanticized, the reality is that many will not have the resources or support they need in their later years. Jewish tradition offers a moral and spiritual framework for how we should support our elders — not just as individuals but also as a society.
The Torah introduces the concept of retirement in Numbers 8:25: “At the age of fifty, they shall retire from the workforce and shall serve no more.” This directive regarding the Levites illustrates an early form of mandatory retirement, grounded in respect for the aging body. Without pensions or Social Security, these elders likely survived on community support — perhaps a share of the offerings brought to the Temple.
Later Jewish texts affirm both the value of planning and the importance of collective responsibility. Proverbs 21:5 teaches, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit,” encouraging foresight and preparation. Maimonides wrote in “Mishneh Torah, Gifts to the Poor” that a person should not make himself a burden on others. Yet, Judaism also tempers that message. The Talmud (Sotah 48b) reminds us: “Whoever has bread in his basket and says, ‘What will I eat tomorrow?’ is of little faith.” This tension between faith and planning mirrors the struggle many face when preparing for retirement.
Jewish law is clear: we must support those in need. Leviticus 25:35 commands, “You shall support the person, the stranger, the resident, and they shall live among you.” While individual generosity is a start, families and communities must be part of the safety net — especially for aging parents.
The fifth commandment demands that we “honor your father and mother.” The Talmudic sages explained what this means: “giving them food and drink, dressing them and covering them, bringing them in and out” (Kiddushin 31b). As age reverses the dependency between parent and child, adult children become caretakers, fulfilling a mitzvah.
Yet this obligation extends beyond family. Leviticus 19:32 teaches, “Stand up in the presence of the aged and show respect for the elderly.” The Talmud explains that this mitzvah applies to all elders, not just one’s parents. Greeting the elderly is likened to welcoming the Divine.
In this spirit, Jewish values clearly support government-backed programs that ensure security and dignity in old age. The U.S. Social Security system, created in 1935, and Medicare, established in 1965, are practical manifestations of these values. These programs reflect society’s recognition that aging is a shared journey, not an individual burden.
Yet these essential supports are at risk. Recent legislation in the House of Representatives proposes deep cuts to federal spending — threatening Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. This endangers the very fabric of our communal responsibility.
Retirement today brings new challenges. Seniors face rising health care costs, a shortage of qualified caregivers and the high price of assisted living. Many will outlive their savings. Long-term care insurance remains costly and limited, and Medicaid only steps in once other resources are depleted. Without government programs, many elderly Americans would be left without support.
Our tradition compels us to act. Jewish values demand we honor and care for the elderly — not only our parents but also our neighbors and strangers. To do so, we must safeguard and strengthen the programs that support their well-being. Honoring the retiree is no different from honoring God.
We are commanded not just to respect our elders but also to ensure they live with dignity. That obligation doesn’t stop at the edge of our family — it extends to the policies and priorities of our nation.
Rabbi Evan J. Krame is the co-founder of the Jewish Studio, former president of the Washington Board of Rabbis, and an attorney practicing estates and trusts law.