בראשית, פרק ה׳, פסוק כ״ג

The generations before the great flood are marked by exceptionally long lifespans, yet one figure stands apart in both the length and the deep spiritual meaning of his time on earth. Enoch lived a significantly shorter life compared to his father and his son [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. However, his specific lifespan of three hundred and sixty-five years is not a random figure. The primary approach among commentators agrees that this exact number perfectly mirrors the days in a solar year. This parallel reveals that Enoch deeply studied the movements of the sun and the vast forces of nature. By observing the physical world, he arrived at a clear and undeniable recognition of the Creator who rules over all things. This profound understanding led him to attach himself completely to God [רבנו בחיי, תולדות יצחק].

The record of his life is presented using a singular phrasing, a deliberate departure from the plural form used for all the other generations. This subtle choice serves an important purpose. It catches the reader's attention, highlighting his unique lifespan and framing his years not merely as a collection of days, but as one whole, perfect unit [קאסוטו].

Beyond emphasizing the completeness of his years, this singular expression hints at his extraordinary spiritual achievements. It echoes the language used during the creation of the world when light was brought into existence. This connection suggests that Enoch elevated himself and attached his soul to the supreme, spiritual light from which the physical sun and stars were originally formed. A similar concept is found later in history with Moses, whose time on the mountain is described with the same singular phrasing. Through that experience, Moses merited the light of the Torah, which caused the skin of his face to shine brilliantly [רבנו בחיי, תולדות יצחק].