Noach – Page 7 – Peninim on the Torah

וירד ד' לראות את העיר ...אשר בנו בני האדם

Hashem descended to look at the city…which the sons of Man built. (11:5)

Rashi questions the use of the words, bnei Adam, “sons of man.” Who else would they be? Were they the sons of donkeys? He explains that the Torah refers to their lineage ascending to Adam HaRishon, primordial man, who exhibited ingratitude when Hashem asked him why he had eaten the forbidden fruit. Adam replied, “The woman whom You gave to be with me – she gave me of the tree and I ate”(Bereishis 3:11). As he was a kafui tov, ingrate, likewise, his descendants rebelled against the One Who had spared them from the effects of the Flood. In other…

Home -> 5773 -> Noach

ושם אשת נחור מלכה בת הרן אבי מלכה ואבי יסכה

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Noach, 5773

And the name of Nachor’s wife was Milkah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milkah and the father of Yiskah. (11:28)

Rashi teaches that Yiskah was actually Sarah Imeinu, the Matriarch. She was called Yiskah, which is a name derived from the word, sachoh, meaning to gaze, to see. Sarah was able to gaze into the future, because she was endowed with Divine Inspiration. Also, everyone gazed at her extraordinary beauty. Rashi’s second explanation, which focuses on the physical beauty of Sarah Imeinu, seems out of place. The Matriarch was a spiritual person, her life’s purpose was to serve the Almighty in every possible way. Why should her extraordinary beauty play a role in identifying her by name? If Sarah would…

Home -> 5772 -> Noach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Noach, 5772

“Noach was a righteous man, perfect in his generations.” (6:9)

Chazal offer a number of interpretations for the phrase “in his generations.” Some commentators interpret this as praise for Noach, who was able to transcend the evil even of his generation. Indeed, had he lived in a generation in which righteousness was the way of life, he would have been even greater. Others contend that he could stand out only in his own generation, in which evil was the standard. Horav Shlomo Margolis, Shlita, feels that “b’dorosov,” “in his generations,” reflects the limited effect of Noach’s righteousness – it lasted only during his generations. He was not able to inspire…

Home -> 5772 -> Noach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Noach, 5772

“And Cham being the father of Canaan.” (9:18)

It would have been sufficient to say, “And Cham was the father of Canaan.” Why does the Torah emphasize “hu” – “he,” as if there were something unique to be derived from the fact that Cham was Canaan’s father. Horav Sholom Schwadron, z.l., attributes Canaan’s inappropriate behavior to the way he was raised by Cham, his father. Indeed, the apple did not fall far from the tree. Cham – he – is the father of Canaan. He is responsible for the way Canaan acted. The son inherited his father’s genes, his base nature, his contemptible character, his repulsive behavior. Cham…

Home -> 5772 -> Noach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Noach, 5772

“Noach, the man of the earth, debased himself and planted a vineyard. He drank of the wine and became drunk.” (9:20-21)

In the Midrash, Chazal comment regarding the word “vayochel,” which is related to “chullin” – “Nischalel v’naaseh chullin,” “he desecrated himself and became unholy.” Why? Because he planted a vineyard. He should have planted something else. We infer from Chazal that the actual planting of the vineyard was in itself a deficiency in Noach’s spiritual stature. His drunken stupor was the result of this deficiency, an offshoot of his previous error – planting the vineyard. We must endeavor to understand the severity of this “sin.” Wine can be–and is–used also for a more lofty purpose. Chazal say: “Ein simcha b’lo…

Home -> 5772 -> Noach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Noach, 5772

“And Shem lived five hundred years after begetting Arpachshad, and he begot sons and daughters.” (11:11)

Interestingly, in recounting the ten generations from Adam until Noach, the Torah writes the word, “va’yamos”, “and he died,” after each person that is mentioned. Upon mentioning the ten generations from Noach until Avraham however, the Torah uses the word, “ve’yechi,” and he lived,” referring to how long the individual lived. Why does the Torah make this distinction between the generations? Horav Yaakov Moshe Charlap, z.l., cites the Mishnah in Pirkei Avos 5:2, wherein it is stated: “There were ten generations from Adam to Noach which informs (us) how great is His (Hashem’s) patience, for all these generations continued to…

Home -> 5771 -> Noach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Noach, 5771

Noach was a righteous man, perfect in his generations… And Noach, and his sons… went into the Ark because of the waters of the Flood. (6:9; 7:7)

Upon perusing the commentaries, we note contrasting opinions concerning the true nature of Noach’s tzidkus, righteousness. The Torah begins by stating that Noach was righteous – in his generations. This leads to a debate among the commentators concerning Noach’s status had he lived in a generation blessed with such a saint as Avraham Avinu. Was Noach a relative tzaddik, in relation to the wicked of his generation, or could he have passed the litmus test even in Avraham’s generation? In the next chapter, the Torah tells us that Noach entered the Teivah, Ark, “because of the waters of the Flood.” This…

Home -> 5771 -> Noach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Noach, 5771

Noach was a righteous man, perfect in his generations. (6:9)

Rashi cites a debate among the Sages concerning Noach’s true spiritual plateau. Some maintain that Noach’s ability to sustain his righteous achievement, despite being surrounded by a generation of corruption, is to his credit. Indeed, had he lived in Avraham Avinu’s time, he would have achieved much more. Others maintain that Noach’s righteousness was relative to a generation that was morally and ethically corrupt. Had he lived in Avraham Avinu’s time, he would have paled in comparison. Veritably, a person should be judged in accordance with his environment, his challenges, his generation. Apples should be compared to apples. There is one…

Home -> 5771 -> Noach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Noach, 5771

For the earth is filled with robbery through them. (6:13)

The generation of the Flood did it all. Their behavior deteriorated to the point that immorality and idolatry had become a way of life. Their immoral conduct extended even to animals, whereby they completely disregarded the parameters of human decency and the separation between species. Yet, Chazal note that it was neither idolatry nor sexual perversion that catalyzed the final decree for their total extinction. It was chamas, gezel, robbery and thievery that brought them down. The commentators present a number of explanations why robbery was the ultimate factor that sealed their punishment. Ramban comments that robbery is a common-sense…

Home -> 5771 -> Noach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Noach, 5771

Make for yourself an Ark of gopher wood. (6:14)

The Teivah which transported Noach, his family and the multitude of creations on board is the symbol of salvation. Noach’s Ark personifies an island of calm in a sea of storm. The Chidushei HaRim, cited by his grandson, the Sefas Emes, translates teivah alternatively as “word.” The Teivah of old refers to the words of the Torah and tefillah, prayer, which are contemporary man’s salvation. The Talmud Makkos 10a compares the Torah to the Arei Miklat, Cities of Refuge, detailed at the end of Sefer Bamidbar (35:9-34). When we immerse ourselves in the words of the Torah, and when we…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Noach ->

וירד ד' לראות את העיר ...אשר בנו בני האדם

Hashem descended to look at the city…which the sons of Man built. (11:5)

ושם אשת נחור מלכה בת הרן אבי מלכה ואבי יסכה

And the name of Nachor’s wife was Milkah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milkah and the father of Yiskah. (11:28)

“Noach was a righteous man, perfect in his generations.” (6:9)

“And Cham being the father of Canaan.” (9:18)

“Noach, the man of the earth, debased himself and planted a vineyard. He drank of the wine and became drunk.” (9:20-21)

“And Shem lived five hundred years after begetting Arpachshad, and he begot sons and daughters.” (11:11)

Noach was a righteous man, perfect in his generations… And Noach, and his sons… went into the Ark because of the waters of the Flood. (6:9; 7:7)

Noach was a righteous man, perfect in his generations. (6:9)

For the earth is filled with robbery through them. (6:13)

Make for yourself an Ark of gopher wood. (6:14)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!