Daily Chumash Noach Chamishi – The covenant and rainbow

Q: What does the phrase “וַאֲנִי הִנְנִי” (“As for Me, I am”) imply?
A: It expresses God’s agreement and commitment to His promise not to destroy the world again, giving it permanence through a covenant.

Q: Why was Noach hesitant to have children after the Flood?
A: He feared another destruction of the world until God reassured him with a promise.

Q: Who is included in the covenant besides Noach and his sons?
A: All living creatures—birds, domestic animals, peaceful wild animals, insects, reptiles, and harmful wild animals.

Q: What does “חַיַּת הָאָרֶץ אִתְּכֶם” refer to?
A: It refers to wild animals that live peacefully among humans.

Q: What is meant by “מִכֹּל יוצאי הַתֵּבָה“?
A: It includes all creatures that left the ark, even winged insects and reptiles.

Q: What does “חַיַּת הָאָרֶץ” add to the list of creatures?
A: It includes harmful wild animals that are not part of the peaceful group.

Q: What is the confirmation of God’s covenant?
A: The rainbow is the sign confirming the covenant.

Q: What does the phrase “לְדֹרֹת עוֹלָם” (“for all generations”) imply by its spelling?
A: It is written deficiently to indicate that some generations, such as those of King Chizkiyah and Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, were so righteous they did not require a sign.

Q: What does “בְּעַנְנִי עָנָן” (“when I bring clouds”) mean?
A: It refers to times when God considers bringing destruction; the rainbow will then serve as a reminder of the covenant.

Q: What does “בֵּין אֱלֹהִים וּבֵין כָּל נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה” teach?
A: It means the covenant is between the Attribute of Justice (signified by the name אֱלֹהִים) and all living beings. When judgment arises, God will recall the covenant through the rainbow.

Q: What is the significance of “זֹאת אֽוֹת־הַבְּרִית” (“this is the sign of the covenant”)?
A: God showed Noach the rainbow and said, “This is the sign I spoke of.”