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The Onset of the Flood
TANAKH
The specific timing and sequence of events during the onset of the Flood reveal the meticulous nature of the biblical narrative and the gravity of the event. The Torah describes the exact date in Noah's life when the Flood began, detailing the simultaneous bursting of the fountains of the deep and the opening of the floodgates of the sky.
Surviving the Deluge
COMMENTARY
How could Og, the giant, have survived the flood when tradition holds that only eight people did? Rabbeinu Bachya, a medieval commentator, tackles this genealogical puzzle by reconciling scriptural narratives with rabbinic traditions.
Rebuilding the Altar
TARGUM
This narrative of Noah's rebuilding of the altar, originally built by Adam and used by Cain and Abel, signifies a profound continuity and renewal of faith after the Flood. The Targum Jonathan, an Aramaic translation and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, provides additional context and elaboration on Genesis 8:20, reflecting rabbinic traditions and teachings.
The Many Meanings of 'Mabul'
COMMENTARY
The word 'mabul' (Flood) in the Torah has multiple layers of meaning that can change our understanding of the Flood narrative. Shabbetai ben Joseph Bass, in his supercommentary Siftei Chakhamim, delves into the linguistic nuances of the word 'mabul' to explain three distinct interpretations offered by Rashi.
The Arrogance of the Flood Generation
TOSEFTA
The generation of the Flood became arrogant and self-sufficient due to the abundance and goodness bestowed upon them by God, leading to their downfall. The Tosefta, an ancient collection of rabbinic laws and teachings from the land of Israel, reflects on the moral failings and subsequent punishment of the generation of the Flood.
Divine Inspiration in the Story of Noach
MUSAR
Noach's righteousness and actions were not self-initiated but were prompted and encouraged by G-d. In his 17th-century work, Rabbi Isaiah HaLevi Horovitz explores the concept of divine inspiration in the story of Noach and the Flood.
God's Compassion in the Flood
LITURGY
God's remembrance and compassion towards Noach during the flood serve as a powerful reminder of divine deliverance and the promise of future blessings. This passage from the Musaf Amidah prayer on the second day of Rosh Hashanah emphasizes themes of supplication, repentance, and divine recollection.
The Covenant After the Flood
COMMENTARY
The covenant between God and Noah after the Flood is a foundational moment in the Torah, establishing a divine-human relationship that is further developed in later covenants with Abraham and the Israelites. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, in his essays, explores the significance of these covenants and their implications for Jewish theology and identity.
Chronicles of the Flood
MIDRASH
The Seder Olam Rabbah provides a detailed chronological and genealogical timeline from Adam to significant events such as the Flood, offering a unique perspective on the ages of the patriarchs and the specific years of key events. Seder Olam Rabbah, an ancient chronicle of Jewish history, outlines the history of the world from a Jewish perspective, filling in gaps and addressing questions that arise in the biblical text.
Divine Precision in the Flood
KABBALAH
The Zohar emphasizes the divine precision in waiting for Noah to reach exactly 600 years old before the flood began, underscoring the importance of exactitude and the completion of Noah's righteousness. The Zohar, a foundational work of Jewish mysticism, offers a mystical interpretation of the Torah, focusing here on the spiritual significance of Noah's age and the timing of the flood.
Noah's Ark and the Flood, Heinrich Vogtherr the Younger (1513–1568)
Noah's Ark and the Flood, Heinrich Vogtherr the Younger (1513–1568)
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