B"H
Thursday, Mar-Cheshvan 2, 5783 / October 27, 2022
This week’s Parsha, Noach, begins with the story of Noach (Noah), the building of the ark and the Great Flood. The Parsha ends with the birth of our forefather, Abraham, the Patriarch of the Jewish nation. There were ten generations from Noach to Abraham.
It took Noach 120 years to build the ark. He was 480 years when he began building the ark and 600 years old when the Great Flood came. When he started building the ark his three sons were not born yet.
Q. The Parsha tells us that the waters of The Great Flood came down for a period of forty days. What is the significance of forty in relation to the Great Flood?
A. The Torah says, “And the earth was corrupted before G-d, and the earth was filled with robbery. Although, the people committed many sins against G-d, yet, their verdict was sealed due to the sin of robbery. The numerical value of the Hebrew word, “Gezel” - “robbery” is 40.
Also, the amount of water needed in a mikvah (ritual bath) to purify from impurity is 40 seah. Thus, as the waters of the Great Flood were also intended to purify the world, it came down for forty days.
After The Flood, G-d promised Noach never again to bring such destruction upon the world. G-d said to Noach, “This is a sign of the covenant which I am placing between Me and every living soul that is with you, for all generations. I have placed My rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign between Myself and the earth… I will look at it and remember the everlasting covenant.”
Because the rainbow is such a significant symbol, the sages established the following special blessing upon seeing a rainbow: “Blessed are you L-rd, our G-d, King of the universe, Who remembers the covenant, is trustworthy in His covenant and fulfills His word.”
Q. Why did G-d have to give Noach a sign that He will never destroy the world?
A. The Midrash explains that when G-d told Noach, after The Flood, to leave the ark and be fruitful and multiply, Noach was hesitant to have more children for fear that G-d may again destroy the world. G-d then made an oath not to bring another flood which will destroy the universe. Noah was still hesitant and asked G-d for a sign. G-d showed him the rainbow and declared, "This is my sign. Whenever mankind deserves a flood, I will look at the rainbow and remember the covenant."
Q. How is G-d's covenant not to bring destruction to the world represented by the rainbow?
A. The Midrash explains that when two warriors approached each other to make peace, each one would point their bow toward themselves to signal that they do not seek war. Thus, G-d said to Noah, "During the flood My bow was drawn and aimed against the world. The rainbow resembles the bow pointing upward. This expresses My promise never to direct My arrows of destruction against the world again." It also serves as a reminder for mankind to improve their ways.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY