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Dov asked this question about Redshirts:
Quick question - and its coming from a religious Jewish point of view. Towards the end of the story Hester is happy that at 120 years he can slip and break his neck and it will be his own fault. Why 120 years? According to the Jewish religion man (and woman for that matter ) can only live for 20 years, That's because 120 is how long Moses lived. And *no one* can live longer that Moses. Is that the reference?
Carl Hempel Could be, the book of Genesis before the story of Noah says: "So the LORD said: “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his da…moreCould be, the book of Genesis before the story of Noah says: "So the LORD said: “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years.” - Genesis 6:3

After that men stop living as long and fairly quickly arrive at living about 120 years.(less)
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Redshirts
by John Scalzi (Goodreads Author)
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