Daily Chumash with Rashi Noach Shelishi – The flood

🌊 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.”