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The Raven's Mission
TANAKH
The raven's continuous movement to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth is a fascinating aspect of the story of Noah's Ark. In the book of Genesis, Noah sends out a raven to check if the floodwaters had receded, highlighting the bird's distinctive role and behavior during this pivotal moment.
The Raven's Unique Punishment
COMMENTARY
The raven, the dog, and Cham were punished for engaging in prohibited sexual activity inside Noah's Ark, with the raven receiving a unique consequence. Rabbeinu Bahya, a medieval Jewish commentator, elaborates on the Talmudic discussion from Sanhedrin 108 about the behavior of certain creatures during the time of Noah's Ark.
Noah and the Raven's Curse
MIDRASH
The story of Noah and the raven includes a unique curse that results in the raven mating with its mouth. The Alphabet of ben Sira, a medieval text, offers a collection of stories and moral teachings, including this detailed narrative.
The Raven's Projection
COMMENTARY
The raven's suspicion of Noah reveals how one's own flaws can lead to projecting those flaws onto others. Rabbi Shabbetai Bass, in his supercommentary Siftei Chakhamim, delves into the behavior of the raven during the story of Noah's Ark, drawing from Talmudic sources.
Divine Roles of Ravens and Fish
KABBALAH
The Zohar illustrates how even animals like ravens and fish are divinely orchestrated to fulfill God's commands. This mystical text connects the biblical stories of Elijah and Jonah to the concept of divine control over nature.
The Raven's Lesson on Parental Responsibility
TALMUD
The Talmud uses the behavior of ravens to illustrate the importance of parental responsibility. In the Babylonian Talmud, tractate Ketubot, Rav Ḥisda compares a father who refuses to support his children to a raven, sparking a discussion on whether ravens feed their young.
Ravens and Darkness
COMMENTARY
The Hebrew words for 'raven' and 'evening' share a root, symbolizing the raven's association with darkness. Ibn Ezra, a medieval Jewish commentator, explores this linguistic connection in his commentary on Leviticus 11:15.
God's Care for the Raven
LITURGY
The raven, often seen as a symbol of desolation, is shown to be under God's care, emphasizing divine providence even for the seemingly insignificant. Perek Shirah, an ancient text, presents various elements of creation singing praises to God, with the raven's verse highlighting God's provision.
Divine Provision for All Creatures
JEWISH THOUGHT
The divine wisdom in providing sustenance for all creatures, including ravens, showcases God's wonders. In the 11th-century ethical masterpiece, Duties of the Heart, Bachya ibn Pekudah explores how scripture highlights God's provision for even the most seemingly insignificant creatures.
Determining Dry Land
SECOND TEMPLE
Josephus provides a detailed account of the sequence of events and practical actions taken by Noah during and after the flood. In his first-century work, Josephus recounts the biblical story of Noah, emphasizing the use of birds to determine the state of the earth's dryness.
The Raven and the Dove
MIDRASH
Sending a message through an unclean or unreliable messenger (symbolized by the raven) is akin to sending it through a fool. Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a midrashic work attributed to Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus, elaborates on the Genesis flood narrative to provide moral lessons.
The Unclean Ravens
MIDRASH
The Torah classifies ravens among the unclean birds, and understanding this classification is crucial for comprehending Jewish dietary laws. The Sifra, an early halachic midrash on Leviticus, provides detailed interpretations of kosher and non-kosher birds, including the classification of ravens.
Unveiling Noah's Strategy
COMMENTARY
The practical reasoning and timeline behind sending out the raven are intricately linked to the observable receding of the waters after the ark had come to rest on Mount Ararat. Radak, a medieval Jewish commentator, provides a detailed analysis of the timeline and practical reasoning behind Noah's actions during the flood.
Ravens as Harbingers of Desolation
TARGUM
Ravens are depicted as symbols of desolation and ruin, reflecting divine judgment. The Targum Jonathan, an ancient Aramaic translation and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, offers a vivid portrayal of the devastation associated with ravens in Isaiah 34:11.
Elijah Fed by the Ravens, James Tissot, 1896-1902
Elijah Fed by the Ravens, James Tissot, 1896-1902
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