And Abraham was old, coming on in days

The Alef Kabbala group (30 October 07) explored a discourse by the Lubavitcher Rebbe said after Shabbat Chayei Sarah 5738 (1977) on the verse "And Abraham was old, coming on in days". The Zohar explains these are supernal days, an exalted spiritual level. Torah study and observing Mitzvot have the effect of forming protective garments for the soul, so that (after 120 years) when it enters the Garden of Eden it is able to come close to the infinite radiance of the Shechinah, the Divine Presence. The garment of Torah and Mitzvot protect the soul so that it should not be dissolved away in the intense revelation of G-dliness. In addition, Torah study and Mitzvot help to transform our 'days', revealing G-dliness in the realm of space and also of time.