And if [it be] from sixty years old and above
When man is almost past his labour, and it is high time to leave
off business;
if [it be] a male, then thy estimation shall between
shekels;
about one pound fifteen shillings:
and for the female ten shekels;
about one pound three shillings; it may be observed that there is
not the disproportion between a man and a woman in old age as in
youth, with respect to the estimation of them; the reason of
which is, because there is but little difference in their labour
and service; nay, sometimes the woman is most useful and
serviceable; for when a man, through age, is quite worn out and
his labour gone, an older woman is capable of managing the
affairs of the family, and is of great use and service, either by
directing and advising, or by doing: so Jarchi observes, when
persons come to old age, a woman is nearly to be reckoned as a
man, and quotes a proverb of theirs, an old man in a house is a
broken potsherd in the house (some interpret the word, a snare or
stumbling block, that is in the way); an old woman in a house is
a treasure in a house, a good sign in a house {p}, of great use
in the management of the affairs of the family.