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Table of Contents
Summary of Text
Shelishi
- Fifteen cubits of water covered over even the highest mountains.
- All the living creatures on earth perished, besides for Noach and his family and the animals that remained with him.
- The water recedes: The water remained on earth without receding for 150 days. It began to recede after 150 days. On the 17th of the 7th month [Sivan] the Teiva landed on the mountain of Ararat. The peak of the mountains began to appear on the 1st of the 10th month [Av].
- Noach sends out a bird: 40 days later Noach opened the window of the ark and sent out the raven. The raven did not find land to rest on. He then sent out a dove, who returned to the ark after not finding dry land. Seven days later the dove was re-sent, and the dove returned with an olive branch. He resent the dove seven days later and it did not return.
- The Teiva is opened: On the first of the first month [Rosh Hashanah] the earth became free of water and Noach opened the cover of the Teiva.
- The earth finally became dry on the 27th of the 2nd month [27th of Marcheshvan]
Tables of Dates and Events
|
Date |
Event |
Details |
|
17th of 2nd month (Marcheshvan) |
Flood begins |
Torrential rain starts, earth’s depths open; rain lasts 40 days and nights. |
|
150 days |
Waters remain |
Water does not recede for 150 days. |
|
After 150 days / 17th of 7th month (Sivan) |
Waters recede, Ark lands |
Teiva lands on Mount Ararat. |
|
1st of 10th month (Av) |
Mountain peaks appear |
Tops of mountains begin to be visible. |
|
40 days after mountain peaks appear |
Noach sends out birds |
First the raven, then the dove (three times, with a week between each sending). |
|
1st of 1st month (Rosh Hashanah) |
Teiva opened |
Earth is dry, Noach opens the cover of the ark. |
|
27th of 2nd month [27th of Marcheshvan] |
Earth finally dry. |
|
Event |
Date |
Details |
|
Flood covers mountains |
— |
Fifteen cubits of water over highest mountains. All creatures perished except Noach, his family, and ark animals. |
|
Waters remain |
150 days |
Water did not recede for 150 days. |
|
Waters begin to recede |
After 150 days |
Teiva landed on Ararat on 17th of 7th month [Sivan]. |
|
Mountain peaks appear |
1st of 10th month [Av] |
Mountain peaks became visible. |
|
Noach sends raven |
40 days later |
Raven found no land. |
|
Noach sends dove |
After raven |
Dove returned; no dry land found. Sent again in 7 days—returned with olive branch. Sent again—did not return. |
|
Teiva opened |
1st of 1st month [Rosh Hashanah] |
Noach opened the ark; earth free of water. |
|
Earth dry |
27th of 2nd month [27th of Marcheshvan] |
Earth finally dry. |
🧠 Q&A-style summary of Rashi’s commentary on Shlishi
🌊 The Flood Begins
1️⃣ Q: How deep was the ark submerged in the water?
🅰️ 11 cubits deep, like a heavy ship partially submerged.
2️⃣ Q: What does “וַיִּגְבְּרוּ” (the water surged) mean?
🅰️ The water increased on its own after the rain stopped.
3️⃣ Q: How high did the water rise above the mountains?
🅰️ 15 cubits above the highest mountain peaks.
4️⃣ Q: Who died in the flood?
🅰️ All living beings on dry land that breathed the breath of life.
5️⃣ Q: Did fish die in the flood?
🅰️ No, only land creatures died.
6️⃣ Q: What does “וַיִּמַח” (obliterated) teach grammatically?
🅰️ It’s a simple active verb form, not passive.
7️⃣ Q: What does “אַךְ נֹחַ” (only Noah) imply?
🅰️ Noah survived, but he suffered greatly caring for the animals.
8️⃣ Q: How long did the water surge after the rain stopped?
🅰️ 150 days.
🌬️ God Remembers Noah
9️⃣ Q: What does “וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹהִים” (God remembered) imply?
🅰️ The Attribute of Justice was transformed into Mercy through prayer.
🔟 Q: Why did God remember the animals?
🅰️ They didn’t corrupt their nature or mate in the ark.
1️⃣1️⃣ Q: What kind of spirit did God send over the earth?
🅰️ A spirit of comfort and relief.
1️⃣2️⃣ Q: What does “וַיָּשֹׁכּוּ” (subsided) mean?
🅰️ It denotes calming, like the abating of anger.
💧 Water Recedes
1️⃣3️⃣ Q: Were all the wellsprings sealed after the flood?
🅰️ No, useful ones like Tiberias hot springs remained open.
1️⃣4️⃣ Q: What does “וַיִּכָּלֵא” (was held back) mean?
🅰️ It means “was withheld,” like withholding mercy.
1️⃣5️⃣ Q: When did the water begin to recede?
🅰️ On 1 Sivan, 150 days after the rain stopped.
1️⃣6️⃣ Q: When did the ark rest on Ararat?
🅰️ On 17 Sivan, after the water receded enough.
1️⃣7️⃣ Q: How do we know the ark was submerged 11 cubits?
🅰️ Based on the rate of water recession and mountain visibility.
🕊️ Birds Sent Out
1️⃣8️⃣ Q: What did the raven do when released?
🅰️ Circled the ark, suspecting Noah of harming its mate.
1️⃣9️⃣ Q: What was the raven later used for?
🅰️ To feed Elijah during a drought.
2️⃣0️⃣ Q: What does “וַיְשַׁלַּח” (sent) mean regarding the dove?
🅰️ It means “released,” not sent on a mission.
2️⃣1️⃣ Q: Why did the dove return the first time?
🅰️ It found no place to rest due to water covering the earth.
2️⃣2️⃣ Q: What does “וַיָּחֶל” mean when Noah waited?
🅰️ It means “he waited,” showing patience.
2️⃣3️⃣ Q: What did the dove bring back the second time?
🅰️ An olive leaf in its beak.
2️⃣4️⃣ Q: What aggadic meaning is given to the dove’s olive leaf?
🅰️ Better bitter food from God than sweet from humans.
2️⃣5️⃣ Q: What does “וַיִּיָּחֶל” mean the third time Noah waited?
🅰️ A reflexive form – “he had himself wait.”