Parashat Noach
Parashat Noach is the second Parsha in the Book of Bereishit
Parashat Noach is the second Parsha in the Book of Bereishit
Noach was a righteous man, with good deeds,[1] which are the main 'offspring' of the righteous.[1] He was perfect in his generations who walked in the ways of Hashem who encouraged him, unlike Avraham who would strengthened himself in his righteousness.[1] If Noach would have lived in the Generation of Avraham in some ways[2] he would have been more righteous[1] but in other ways[2] he would not have been considered of any importance.[1] He was righteous in comparison to the 20 generations from Adom to Avraham but once Avraham appeared, Noach was no longer considered perfect.[3]
Noach married Naama,[4] a 7th generation descendent from Kayin, the daughter of Lemech and Tzila and sister of Tuval Kayin.[2] They had three sons; Shem, Cham, and Yafes. Noach's family was listed to indicate that now all the earlier generations were irrelevant.[3] Noach witnessed the world in three states: Preflood, Flood and Post-flood.[3] He was one of the 3 individuals who saved 3 people. Noach saved his 3 sons, Daniel saved Chananya Mishael and Azarya and Iyov saved his 3 friends; Elifaz Hatimni, Beldad HaShuchi and Tzofer Hanamasi.[3] The name Noach denotes pleasantness, since Noach was pleasant to Hashem, People, Upper Realms, Lower Realms, In This World and in the Next World.[3] Noach was very wise.[3]
The world became corrupted with immorality[5][6] idolatry[5] and full of robbery.[5] These were all caused by their opposition to the Tzadikim of their generation; Mesushelach and Noach,[7] and not receiving their oral teaching of Holiness[7] leading them to twist all the teachings.[7] Their great wealth and prosperity led them to sin.[8] Hashem saw the corruption and how all creatures including cattle, beasts and birds had corrupted their ways by mating with members of other species.[9]
Even the actual earth was used for robbery. A person would ask his friend to guard his money pouch and would also add persimmon in it. The guardian would then hide the pouch under the earth along with his money. At night the giver would sneak into the house, smell the persimmon and steal all the homeowner's money with it.[10]
Hashem told Noach that he plans on destroying all life on the world due to their immorality and idolatry which brings death to the world, killing both good and bad.[11] Despite this their final verdict was sealed only because of mass robbery.[11] He intended to build an established world, but the humans ruined it through their actions.[6] Now even the earth would be destroyed, blotted out and obliterated to the depth of a plowshare, 3 Tefachim,[11][6] roughly a foot (27 cm). By using the work קץ which equals 190, Hashem alluded to Noach that flood would last for 40 days and then an additional 150 days where the waters prevailed over the Earth.[6]
Hashem told Noach to make for himself an ark of gopher wood, which sounds like gophris - sulphur which they were decreed to be destroyed with.[12] He should make the ark with compartments which would serve as dwelling places for the domestic animals and wild beasts.[12] He was to caulk it both inside and outside with pitch, due to the strength of the water.[12] Moshe's ark which was in calm waters was coated with clay inside and pitch only on the outside.[12] Also so the righteous Moshe should not smell the bad odor of pitch.[12] Hashem would help Noach create the ark since without this help he would be unable to create it alone.[13]
Noach was to size it: 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide and 30 cubits high. He was to make a window[14] which would server as a skylight for the ark as well as a[2] precious stone, which would generate light.[14][13]
Its roof should slant upwards narrowing to the width of one cubit which was flat and was not pointed to the end,[14] so the waters should run down.[14] It should have a door on its side, so that the rain should not enter it. It would have three stories one above the other,[14] a bottom for garbage, second story for animal dwelling, and an upper third story for the people.[14] Birds were to dwell near the people.[15]
Although Hashem had many ways to save Noach, he did so through the ark, giving his generation a chance to repent as they inquired about Noach working on it for 120 years and replied that Hashem planed on bringing a flood to the world.[12] At this point it was alluded to Noach that he was to build an alter after leaving the ark to atone on it.[16] Noach was spared in merit of the flagged encampment of the Tribes that would descend from him[13] and there were times[2] where the flagged encampment of the Tribes would travel in the square formation of an ark.[13]
Hashem announced that He is bringing a flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which there is the spirit of life, from beneath the heavens. Hashem was now ready to agree to the angels who urged Him long ago not to create man.[17] All that is upon the earth would perish. This flood would wear everything out, mix everything up and move everything from high ground to low ground and floated everything down to Bavel which is deep,[17] it was therefore called a בלה, בלבל, הוביל - מבול.[17]
Hashem will uphold His covenant with Noach that the fruits will not rot and become moldy[18] and that he should not be killed by the wicked of his generation.[18] Noach is to enter the ark with his sons, wife and daughter-in-laws, they are prohibited to have marital relations,[18] in the ark.[19]
Noach is to bring with him into the ark at least[20] two of each living thing, of all flesh, to preserve their life. These should include one male and one female.[20] This included even demons.[20] Two from each kind of bird, animal and ground creeper, that did not have relations with other species and corrupts their way,[21] will come on their own[21] to Noach so he could preserve their life. Only healthy animals that did not contain wounds that would render them treif and were not missing any limbs were included.[15] Those animals that whom the ark let them enter[21] and did not reject, were to be saved.
Noach is to take for himself and gather every food that is eaten and it should be for him and them to eat. Noach did according to all that Hashem had commanded him, specifically the building of the ark.[22]
Hashem told Noach to enter the ark along with his household for he has found him a righteous man in his generation. This praise was in front of Noach, therefore Hashem did not call him a 'perfectly righteous man' since we tell only partial praise in a person’s presence and all of it in his absence. [23]
From all the clean animals Noach should take seven pairs of husband and wife. From the animals that are not clean, Noach should only take two, a single husband and wife. Since Noach studied Torah he knew which animals were going to distained to be pure for the Jewish Nation.[24] More kosher animal were taken, so Noach could offer sacrifices from them upon leaving the ark.[24] Also, from the clean[25] birds of the skies, Noach was to take seven pairs, male and female, to keep their seed alive on the face of the earth.
Hashem declared that in another seven days, He will make it rain upon the earth for forty days and forty nights, and He will blot out all beings that He created off the face of the earth. Hashem took into consideration the honor of the tzadik Mesushelach who had passed away when Noach turned 600 and delayed the retribution for an additional[26] seven days of his mourning,[26][27] above the originally decreed 120 year period.[26] A flood of 40 days was decreed upon them, corresponding to the 40 days it takes to form a fetus, as retribution for burdening their Creator to to form illegitimate children.[26]
Noach did all that Hashem commanded him and entered the Ark.[28]
Noach was 600 years old when the when the waters flooded the earth. Noach, his 3 sons, his wife and 3 daughter-in-laws entered the ark because of the waters of the flood. The men entered separately from the women to symbolize that it they were prohibited to have marital relations while the world what suffering.[29] Also the animals were forbidden from having marital relations in the ark.[30] Noach had little faith and was not fully certain the flood would take place, he therefore did not enter the ark until he was forced to by the water.[29] Sets of two, male and female from the clean animals, unclean animals, birds and land creeps arrived on their own[31][32] to Noach and the ark, just like Hashem commanded. At least one set of two arrived from each species.[31]
The people of his generation threatened to kill Noach and break the ark, if they see him entering it. Hashem announced that he would bring Noach into the ark before their eyes and they would see whose plan prevailed.[33] Therefore Noach entered the ark in middle of the day with his sons; Shem, Cham and Yefes, along with his wife and the daughter in laws. They were accompanied by every type of beast, domestic animal, land creeper, birds and flying creatures with appearance of feathers,[34] including locusts. [34] All flesh that contained spirit of life, came in sets of two, male and female to Noach and the ark, as Hashem had commanded him. Hashem then shut him in the ark, sealing it from water[35] and protecting him from the masses who wanted to break the ark by surrounding it with bear and lions who would kill them.[35] Those that remained in the ark merited to have Ruch HaKodesh - Divine Inspiration rest on them.[36]
After the seven day extension, on the 600th year of Noach's life, on the 17th of the second month of the year (Which was either Cheshvon or Iyar),[37] all the springs of the great depths ruptured to emit their waters[37] and the portals of the sky opened bringing the flood waters upon the earth. Since that generation had sinned with 'great' evil they were now punished measure for measure[10] with the waters of the 'great' depths.[37] Much of the water was boiling hot.[10] Since they had made waste of their good days, they were now flooded on the 17th day of the month which represents good (17 = טוב).[38] Hashem removed 2 stars from the constellation of Kimah[38] - Pleiades, causing the flood.
Hashem began the flood with mercy bringdown light rains that would have concluded as rains of blessing had they repented. When they did not, it turned into a flood.[39] There was rain upon the earth for forty days and forty nights, lasting until the 28th of Kislev[39] (12 Cheshvon + 28 Kislev).[39] In truth, it rained for 41 days but the first was not counted since it did not rain during its proceeding night.[39] There was also a very large earthquake at this time.[40]
When the forty days of flood upon the earth began, the waters increased and lifted the ark, and raising it off the earth. Like all loaded ships, the bottom of the ark remained submerged 11 cubits in the water.[41][42] The waters became powerful, greatly increased on their own[43] upon the earth, the ark moving above the waters. When the waters became exceedingly powerful upon the earth, all the tall mountains found under the heavens, became covered by water. The mountains were covered by an additional 15 cubits of water above their highest peaks.[44] The immorality of the Generation of the Flood had contaminated everything on earth. Therefore the entire earth now became submerged in a Mikva in order to repurify it.[2]
During their time in the ark, Noach and his family ate separated from the animals and so did each group of animals eat separately from the others. Each type of animal was fed the specific type of food that it needed. Noach had brought with him to the ark vines for the elephants, food for the camels and for each species of animals what it needed.[45]
All flesh perished that moved upon the earth, including all birds, cattle, beasts, creeping creatures that creep upon the earth and all humans. Everything that breathed the spirit of life in its nostrils,[46] that were on dry land died. However the fish that were in the ocean did not die.[46] Not a single tree remained standing, all were uprooted.[6] There were giants 100 cubits tall that were destroyed.[6]
The bulk[2] residue from the living and vegetation matter were dragged by the Flood waters to the Bavel area, where it settled.[47] This area at the time[2] was the lowest region on Earth.[47] Even after the land level elevated over time and from the Flood residue, this area which in modern times contains Iraq, Kuwait and possibly Eastern Saudi Arabia and UAE, remains only 0 - 150 Meters above sea level.[2] Ironically this same region is a mass source of petroleum crude oil and other fossil fuels, which scientists claim are formed when large quantities of dead organisms are buried underneath sedimentary rock and are subjected to both intense heat and pressure, which were the exact effects of the Flood.[2]
The Flood[48] obliterated all beings that were upon the face of the earth, including man, animal, birds of the sky and creeping things. They were obliterated from the earth and neither will they be brought to life during the Resurrection of the Dead.[8] Only Noach and those with him in the ark survived, including Og.[49] Noach's children were descendants of both Shes, through their father's side and Kayin, through their mothers side.[4] So in essence, even the descendants of Kayin remained in the world.[2]
Although Noach survived, it was rough experience for him as well. He was groaning and spitting blood because of the burden taking care of the cattle and beasts.[48] He was also wounded after the lion struck him when he delayed feeding it.[48] This was to eradicate any misdoings of Noach while still in This World, so he would not be punished in the next.[48]
The water prevailed upon the earth for one hundred and fifty days. Hashem remembered Noach and all the beasts and cattle that were with him in the ark. This was due to the prayers of Noach and his sons that transformed the Divine attribute of Justice into the attribute of mercy.[50] Hashem also remembered the merits of the animals, that they did not corrupt their ways before the flood and that they did not have marital relationships in ark.[50] Also the merit of the Jewish Nation[51] that would eventually emerge from Shem, was taken into account. Hashem passed a spirit of consolation and calm before Him[50] regarding the events[50] of the earth, calming the anger[50] and the waters subsided. Consequently on the 27th of Kislev[52] the springs of the depths and the openings of the heaven closed, the rain from the heavens now being withheld.[53] Some of the deep springs that were necessary for the world, such as the hot springs of Tiberias, remained open.[53]
150 days later on the 1st of Sivan[52] (3 remaining day of Kislev, 29 from Teves, 30 from Shevat, 29 from Adar, 30 from Nissan, 29 from Iyyar) the water level began[52] to decrease, receding more and more off the earth. On the 17th of Sivan,[42] the 7th month since the rain stopped on Kislev,[42] the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. Each 4 days the waters went down one cubit.[42] Since the flood rose 15 cubits above the mountains and the bottom of the ark was submerged 11 cubits under water, it took the first 16 days of Sivan to lower the waters 4 cubits, allowing the bottom of the ark to rest on the top of Ararat the following day, although the waters still rose 11 cubits up the height of the ark.[42]
The water continued to recede until the first day of Av,[54] 10 months after the flood began on Cheshvan[54], the mountain peaks became uncovered. 40 days after the exposure of the mountain tops[55] Noach opened the window of the ark that he had created to allow in light (not the ark entrance)[55] and sent out a raven. Instead of fulfilling his mission, the raven just flew back and forth, circling the ark[56] until the waters dried up off the earth.[56] It did so since it suspected Noach, concerning its wife.[56] This also alluded to the destined 'mission' of the ravens years later to feed Eliyahu the Tishbi during a time when the 'water dried up', bringing him bread and meat to Nachal Kris.[56]
Noach waited 7 days[57] and then sent away[57] a male[58] dove, who had resided near him[15] through out the Flood. If the dove would find a place to rest, it would not return to him and Noach would know whether the waters had dried from the earth's surface.[57] However the dove found no resting place for its feet because there was still water upon the entire earth's surface, so it returned to Noach and the ark. Noach stretched forth his hand and took the dove, bringing it back into the ark. Noach waited[59] another 7 days and then once again sent the dove forth from the ark. Right before nighttime the dove returned with a plucked olive leaf in its mouth that it had broken off a tree and not found floating on water.[60] Noach then knew that the waters levels had decreased on the earth's surface. Since the olive leaf was also a form of food being carried in its mouth, the dove was symbolically requesting that its food can be as bitter as an olive as long as it is received through the hands of Hashem, rather then it being as sweet as honey but received through the hands of humans.[58]
Noach patiently waited[61] another 7 days (totaling 21 days on dove [54]), then he sent the dove out again. This time the dove did not return to him.
Finally on the 601th year, in Tishri[62] (or Nissan)[62] the first month, on the first of the month, 60 days from the appearance of the mountain tops,[54] the waters dried up from upon the earth leaving the earth as a sort of clay, its upper surface forming a crust.[62] Noach removed the covering of the ark and saw the surface of the ground had dried up. On the 27th of Cheshvan, the 2nd month the earth became fully dry, as it should be.[63] The flood rains began on the 17th of Cheshvan[63] of the previous year and now ended on the 27th of Cheshvan, therefore the flood lasted for 1 year and 11 days. Since a solar year lasts for 365 days which is 11 days more then the 355 lunar year, the punishment of the Generation of the Flood lasted for a full solar year.[63]
Hashem spoke to Noach and told him to emerge from the ark along with his wife, sons and their wives. By paring Noach with his wife and his sons with their wives[64] in this commandment, Hashem let Noach know that it was now permissible for them to have marital relations,[64] unlike their time spent in the ark where this was forbidden. Additionally all the animals, birds and creepers that were with Noach were to leave the ark. If they refuse to leave the ark on their own, then Noach should forcibly take them out.[30] Unlike their time in the ark where even the animals were forbidden to have martial relations,[30] they are to swarm, be fruitful and multiply upon the earth.
Noach and his sons as well as his wife and daughter-in-laws left the ark. All the animals, creepers and birds left the ark with their families. They accepted upon themselves to cleave only to their own species,[65] unlike the pre flood animals who intermingled species, since this was the condition[65] for surviving the flood and emerging from the ark.
The ark remined stuck on the mountains of Ararat. Sancherev took a plaque of wood from the ark and worshiped it as his god Nisroch, saying that it was the god that saved Noach from the Flood.[36]
Noach built a Mezbeach altar to Hashem. He then offered on the alter burnt Olah sacrifices from all the kosher animals and birds, since he understood this was the reason Hashem had commanded him to bring 7 pairs of each kosher animal[66] into the ark. Hashem smelled the pleasant aroma, and told Himself that He will no longer curse the earth because of man, since a man's heart has evil from his youth and the evil inclination is placed within him from the time he shakes himself to emerge from his mother's womb.[67] Therefore He will no longer smite all living things as He had just done during the flood. Hashem repeated the phrase 'no longer' twice to give His statement the status of an oath.[67] Hashem also looked and considered the future how even the sinners of Yisroel will in the end give 'pleasant aromas'.[68] Since a person is born with an evil inclination, he must battle it from his youth and if he is victorious, then he will be at ease.[68]
Hashem swore that as long as the earth exists, the 6 annual 2 month long seasons:[69] seedtime, harvest, cold, heat, summer and winter[69] as well as day and night, will not cease to perform according to their natural functionalities.[69] During the duration of the Flood, the planets did not function and day was indistinguishable from night,[69] therefore a commitment was needed to insure this would not occur again.
Zera / Seedtime - Half of Tishri, Cheshvan and half of Kislev
Kor / Cold - More severe then 'Winter'.[69] Lasts for half of Kislev, Teves and half of Shevat[69]
Choref / Winter - Time for planting barley and beans, which ripen quickly.[69] Lasts for half of Shevat, Adar and half of Nissan.[69]
Katzir / Harvest - Lasts for half of Nissan, Iyar and half of Sivan.
Kayitz / Summer - Time for gathering figs and drying them in the fields[69] Lasts for half of Sivan, Tamuz and half of Av
Chom / Heat - End of the sunny season, the hottest time of the year and is more severe then the summer.[69] Lasts for half of Av, Elul and half of Tishri
Hashem blessed Noach and his sons, telling them to be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth. Fear and dread from humans will fall upon all the animals, birds of the sky, creepers of the ground and fish of the see. All of these have been given to the hands of the humans. Animals' fear of humans persists only while a person is alive; it disappears after death. This is why a defenseless infant does not need protection from being eaten by mice, yet even a fearsome giant like Og the King of Bashan, must have his body safeguarded from mice after death.[70] Although Hashem had originally blessed the World at the time of Creation, He now had to do so again since all the original entities were destroyed and there was now a new World.[71]
Adom and his descendants were only permitted to eat vegetation and it was forbidden for them to eat animal meat.[72] Hashem now informed Noach and his descendants that all moving things were are now permissible for them to eat, just like the vegetation that had been permitted to Adom.[72] However a limb that was cut off from a live animal[73] while it still has its soul in its flesh and blood,[73] it is prohibited for them to eat it. Likewise it is prohibited for them to drink or eat blood that was extracted from a live animal.[73]
Even though humans were permitted to take the life of animals[74]. Hashem will demand retribution from a person who commits suicide and spill his own blood.[74] This is true even if a person takes his own soul through strangulation, where no actual blood is spilled.[74] Likewise a person is not allowed to curse himself.[75]
It is also forbidden to kill another human and whoever sheds the blood of a man his blood shall be shed, since Hashem[76] created man in His image. If there were witness, the murder is to be killed by the human[76] authorities. If a person intentionally murders another human and there are no witnesses, Hashem will demand and take vengeance.[74] Even if an animal kills a human, Hashem will punish it, regardless it is a kosher or non kosher animal.[75] Animals were initially created with the instinct to fear humans, however due to their sins, the Generation of the Flood were abandoned as prey and the animals were given the power to dominate over them. Therefore it was necessary to now warn the animals that they could no longer kill humans.[74] Even if a person loves his friend like a brother and killed him by accident, if he does not try to rectify his action by begging for forgiveness and carrying out a punishment of exile, since even unintentional sinners require atonement,[74] Hashem will demand retribution. If there were no witness that can force him to exile and he does not do so on his own, Hashem will cause him to unintentionally kill another person who anyway deserves death but this time in public, so he will be forcibly exiled.[74]
In addition to the previous blessing that Hashem had given for procreation, He now instructed procreation as a commandment.[77] It was given right after the prohibition of murder in order to compare one who does not engage in procreation, to a murderer.[77]
Noach was afraid to engage in procreation, until Hashem promised him to never destroy the world again[78] when He had previously sworn to no longer smite all living things as He ad done during the flood. Afterwards Hashem agreed to strengthen and establish his promise through a covenant and by providing a testimonial sign[78] (the rainbow). Hashem spoke to Noach and his sons, affirming their fears[78] and informed them that he is setting up a covenant with Noach and all his future descendants as well as with all living creature who dwell amongst humanity[79] including birds, cattle, beasts, creepers and bugs[79] who exited the ark and with all other living creatures of the earth, including demons, who do not dwell amongst humans.[79] Hashem continued, that He will establish His covenant with them that never again will all flesh be destroyed by flood waters and there will never again be a flood that will destroy the earth. Hashem will confirm this through the sign of the rainbow.[80] Hashem also aluded to his covenant of the Resurrection of the Dead.[81]
Hashem told them that the sign of the covenant that He is placing between them and between every living soul for everlasting generations, will be His rainbow that He placed in the cloud. When Hashem will cause clouds to come upon the earth and it comes to His mind to bring darkness and destruction to the world,[82] then the rainbow will appear in the cloud. It shall be a sign for the covenant between Hashem and the earth. Hashem will remember His covenant between Himself and the humans and all living creature and water will no longer become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the Midas HaDin - Heavenly Standard of Justice comes to prosecute[83] humanity, the rainbow will show in the cloud. Hashem will see it and remember His everlasting covenant between the Midas HaDin - Heavenly Standard of Justice[83] and all living creature of the earth. Hashem then showed Noach a rainbow[84] and told him that this was the sign of the covenant that He had previously mentioned,[84] which He set up between Himself and all flesh of the earth.
There were some generations who were completely righteous and did not need this sign like the generations of Chizkiya King of Yehuda and Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai.[85]
Rainbows are caused by light refracting and dispersing through airborne droplets of water. Before the Flood, the atmosphere air was extremely clean and refined and water droplets would not hang in it. Only after the Flood whose waters contaminated the world with an influx of sulphur and scorched all living and vegetation matter, which were then absorbed by the earth, did the atmosphere become polluted. This caused the air and clouds to thicken and only then did water drops start clinging in it, causing the rainbow effect.[86]
Shem, Chum, and Yafet were the 3 sons of Noach that emerged from the ark. From these 3 sons of Noach the entire population of the earth emerged. Chum was the father of Canaan, who was cursed due to the actions of his father when Noach became drunk.[87]
When Noach entered the ark, he brought with him fig tree sprouts and vine branches[88] that[2] originated from Gan Eden.[89] Now Noach the master[88] of the soil began to busy himself with mundane[88] activities by planted a vineyard, when instead he should have engaged in planting something different.[88] Noach drank from the wine, which often causes grief[90] and became drunk. He then uncovered himself[91] in his tent. His actions also alluded to the 10 tribes whose capital was Shomron - Oholah who were exiled as first captives[90] due to their wine drinking.[91]
Canaan saw Noach undressed and told[92] his father Chum. Chum saw his father undressed, sodomized[92] and[2] castrated[92] him, so he could not have any more children.[93] He then told his two brothers outside about their father and tried to justify what he did to him.[2] Cham explained to them how Adom only had 2 sons and one killed the other in order to become the sole inheritor of the world, while their father already has three sons and still wants a forth one.[93]
Shem and Yafet took a garment, placing it on their shoulders. They then walked into the tent backwards and covered their father's nakedness. When they reached Noach and had to turn around in order to cover him, they again turned their faces backwards,[94] so that they would not see their father's nakedness. Shem had exerted himself more then Yafet to do this good deed, therefore his decedents merited the tallit with tzitzis.[94] Yafet merited burial for his decedents and Gog will receive a grave in Eretz Yisroel after the Final War.[94] Chum who disgraced his father, was distained to have his descendants; the Egyptian captives and the exile of Cush, both youths and old men, marched naked and barefoot by the king of Assyria.[94] In the Genealogy of Noach, Shem is referenced as the brother of Yefet, since they both honored their father. He was not referenced as the brother of Chum who disgraced their father.[95]
Noach awoke from his wine and knew what his small, worthless and despicable[96] son had done to him. He then cursed Canaan; that he should be a slave among slaves to his brothers. An ox who kills a slave, its owner has to pay a fine of only 30 shekel.[97] Since Canaan initiated the incident, he was explicitly mentioned in the slave curse.[92] Additionally by castrating him, Chum had prevented Noach from having a forth son that could serve him, therefore Noach cursed Canaan the 4th son of Chum that he should be a servant to the children of Shem and Yefet, who now had to work extra hard to service Noach.[93] Since Chum was cursed only as a fine and punishment, the curse itself also contains an element of blessing; that he gets to eat whatever his master eats.[98]
Noach continued to bless Hashem the God of Shem, Who is destined to keep His promise to his decedents and give them the land of Canaan.[99] The Canaanites will be a slaves to his decedents, paying them tax through physical labor.[99] Even after the descendants of Shem are to be exiled, descendants of Canaan will still be sold to them as slaves.[100] Additionally Noach blessed Shem that Hashem rest his Divine Presence on the Jews[100] who will descend from him.
Noach then blessed Yafet, that Hashem should expand[100] and beautify him, he should merit to dwell in the tents of Shem and that the Canaanites should be a slaves to his decedents. This element of beauty manifested when Korsh built the Second Temple. However the Shechinah did not rest there and only rested in the First Temple that was built by Shlomo who was a descendant of Shem.[100]
These are the generations of the sons of Noach who had children after the Flood and their families according to their generations and nations. From these families the Nations divided and settled across the earth, following the Flood.
Was 3 years younger then his older brother Yefet.[95] Shem the father of all the people who dwelled on the other side[95] of the river. These are the sons of Shem according to their families, languages, lands and nations.
Elam
Ashur
Arpachshad
Shelech
Ever - Was a profit who named his son after a future event.[101]
Peleg - Older son of Ever. In his last year[101] of his life the earth was divided, the languages became confused and humanity was scattered from the valley and dispersed throughout the entire world.[101]
Yokton - Younger son of Ever. Since Yokton was humble and considered himself insignificant, he merited to produce many families.[101] His descendants settled from Mesha as you approach Sefara, the mountain of the east.
Almodad
Shelef
Chatzarmaves - Although the literal meaning is 'courtyard of death', he was named after his location.[102]
Yerach
Hadoram
Uzal
Diklah
Oval
Avimael
Sheva
Ofir
Chavila
Yovav
Lud
Aram
Uz
Chul
Geser
Mash
Although his descendants separated into various families, languages, lands and Nations, they are all the Sons of Chum.[103]
Kush
Seva
Chavila
Savta
Raamah
Sheva
Dedan
Nimrod
Savtecha
Mitzraim
Ludim
Anamim
Lehavim - There faces were flame-like[104]
Naftuchim
Pasrusim
Plishtim ? - It is unknown if he was a son of Pasrusim or Casluchim since they would exchange their wives[105]
Casluchim
Plishtim ? - It is unknown if he was a son of Pasrusim or Casluchim since they would exchange their wives[105]
Caftorim
Put
Canaan - From his sons,[106] afterwards many more Canaanite families[106] multiplied and scattered. The end border[107] of the Canaanite land extended until one approached the borders[107] of Sidon, Gerar, Gaza, Sodom, Amorrah, Admah and Tzevoim, until Lesha.
Tzidon - The first born of Canaan
Chet
Yevusi
Emori
Girgashi
Chivi
Arki
Sini
Arvadit
Tzemari
Chamasi
Was the oldest son of Noach[95]
Gomer
Ashkenaz
Rifas
Togarmah
Magog
Madai
Yavan - His descendants inhabited the islands of the nations. Each separated by their lands, languages, according to their families.
Elishah
Tarshish
Kittim
Dodanim
Tuval
Meshech
Tiras - Persia[108]
Nimrod was born to Kush, he began to be a mighty man in the land, causing the entire world to rebel against Hashem using the plan of the Generation of Dispersion.[109] He was a mighty hunter and would trap people's minds through his words and mislead them to rebel against Hashem.[110] Nimrod would willingly and consciously try to provoke Hashem to His face.[110] So proficient was Nimrod at this that any man who was brazenly wicked and recognizes his Master intentionally rebels against Him, people would right away compare him to Nimrod the mighty hunter[110] who rebelled against Hashem. Nimrod was tall and a mighty warrior who conquered many cities.[111] Even Yerushalaim was blessed that anyone born in it should be as tall and mighty as Nimrod and so distinct that everyone would know that he had been born in Yerushalaim.[111]
Nimrod began his kingdom in Bavel, Erech, Accad and Calneh in the land of Shinar. When Ashur saw his sons obeying Nimrod and rebelling against Hashem by building the tower, he left from their midst[112] and departed from that land. He then built the large city[113] of Nineveh, Rechovot Ir, Calach as well as Resen, that stood between Nineveh and Calach.
Originally all the people on the entire earth shared one single language and uniform speech, the all used Lashon Hakodesh,[114][115] the Holy Language, although much of their actual conversations were empty and superficial.[115] They all came together unified and devised a single plan[114] to rebel against Hashem the Sole Entity of the Universe[114]. They said it Hashem had no right to select for Himself the upper realms, leaving them the lower ones. Therefore they will ascend to the sky and wage war with Him. They also said singular and sharp words[114] towards Heaven; that once every 1,656 years the sky collapses,[114] as it did in at the time of the Flood, which occurred 1,656 years after Creation. Therefore they will create a support pillars for the sky[114], to prevent it from collapsing again. It was the great peace and tranquility of that generation that caused them to sin.[116]
Their original dwelling place was near the mountain of the East.[117] They traveled from the East to find a location that could accommodate them all.[117] Their trip also symbolized their departure from Hashem the Ancient One of the World.[118] They only[117] found such a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there. The various Nations[119] which included Mitzrayim, Kush, Put and Canaan[119] discussed one with the other, a plan how to prepare[119] and organize themselves in order to create a tower. Since Bavel was a valley and contained no stones,[119] they would manufacture bricks using the method of burning them thoroughly in a furnace[119] and use them as a replacement for stones. They will also use clay for mortar to plaster the walls.[119] They planed how to build for themselves a city and tower, whose top would reach the heavens. This would establish a name for themselves, so Hashem would not bring a plague upon them, causing them to become scattered[120] upon the face of the entire earth. So important was the tower for them, that when a brick would fall from the tower it was much more mournful for them then death.[116]
Hashem descended to see the city and the tower built by the 'Sons of Man'. Although Hashem had no need to descend, He did so in order to teach judges not to condemn a defendant until they see and fully understand the case.[121] Just like Adom was ungrateful and blamed the woman that Hashem gave him. So too the 'Sons of Adom' were ungrateful and rebelled against Hashem who gave them goodness and saved them from the Flood.[121] Hashem said, due to their abundance[122] of being one group of people and having a single language, they have started[122] to build the tower. Are they to be allowed and not withheld[122] from doing all they planned to do. Due to His great humility, Hashem took counsel with His tribunal[123] and told them to come, descend and confuse[123] the people's language, so that one will not understand the language of his friend. Using a measure for measure punishment, Hashem told to his tribunal to prepare themselves to come and descend, just like the people had prepared themselves to come and build the tower.[123] Confusing their language caused great chaos. A person would request a brick and his friend who now misunderstood him would bring him mortar. Enraged the first person would stand and crack the skull of his friend.[123] At the time of the dispersion there were also very load sounds and hail fell upon them.[124] This event occurred when Avrahom was 48 years old[125] and on the year Peleg passed away.[125] After the Dispersion, mankind began to settle in various parts of the earth, each nation in his own place.[125]
Hashem dispersed them from Bavel, across the face of the entire earth and they ceased building the city. Hashem named this location Bavel, since there He mixed all the languages of the Earth and dispersed the people across the globe. Ironically the very fear of becoming scattered across the earth that led them to initiate the plan of the tower, was fulfilled upon them. Just like King Shlomo said[126] that the dread of a wicked man will befall him.[127] Besides being dispersed in this Physical World,[127] they were also dispersed eternally and have no share in the World to Come.[128]
Although the Generation of Dispersion committed a more serious sin of rebelling directly against Hashem and tried to fight Him, they were not washed away like the Generation of the Flood and were allowed to live. This was because unlike the Generation of the Flood whom were thieves and had strife between them, the Generation of the Dispersion had friendship and love among themselves. From here we see the greatness of peace and the loathing of controversy.[128]
There were ten generations form Noach until Avrahom. This teaches you how great the tolerance of Hashem is, since all these generations kept on provoking Him, until Avraham, came and received the reward for all of them.[129] The descendants of Shem are listed in detail to indicate that now the families of Yefes and Cham were considered irrelevant.[3] These are the generations of Shem...
Shem - had his first son Arpachshad when he was 100 years old which was 2 years following the flood.[130] He then lived for an additional 500 years and had more sons and daughters.
Arpachshad - had his child Shelach at age 35. He then lived for an additional 403 years and had more sons and daughters.
Shelach - had his child Ever at age 30. He then lived for an additional 403 years and had more sons and daughters.
Ever - had his child Peleg at age 34. He then lived for an additional 430 years and had more sons and daughters.
Peleg - had his child Reu at age 30. He then lived for an additional 209 years and had more sons and daughters.
Reu - had his child Serug at age 32. He then lived for an additional 207 years and had more sons and daughters.
Serug - had his child Nachor at age 30. He then lived for an additional 200 years and had more sons and daughters.
Nachor - had his child Terach at age 29. He then lived for an additional 119 years and had more sons and daughters.
Terach - had his children Avrum, Nachor and Haran starting at age 70. He then lived for an additional 119 years and had more sons and daughters.
There are the generations of Terach
Avrum/Avrahom
Nachor
Haran
Lot
Milka
Yiska - Sarai/Sarah
Haran died during the lifetime of his father Terach and because of him.[131] When Nimrod threw Avrom into a fiery furnace after Terach had reported to Nimrod that his son had crushed his idols, Haran thought to himself; if Avrom is victorious, he will side with him and if Nimrod is victorious, he will side with him. When Avrom was saved, Haran was asked to declare his alliance. When he replied Avrom's side, they threw him into the fiery furnace and he was burned.[131] Thus Haran perished in the Furnace of the Kasdim[131] which was located[2] in the land of his birth in the Valley[131] of Ur Kasdim. Haran was from a different mother then Avrahom[132] and not from Amatlai bat Karnevo.[133]
Avram and Nahor took for themselves wives. Avram married his niece Sarai, the daughter of his brother Haran who was also known as Yiska,[134] because she would see (סוֹכָה) through Divine inspiration, everyone gazed (סוֹכִין) at her beauty and the name denotes royalty (נְסִיכוּת), similar to Sarah which denotes authority (שְׂרָרָה).[134] Sarai was barren and had no children. Sarah in Atbash is בג"ץ which has same equivalence as Yiska.[135] Both Avrohom and Sarah were extremely wise.[136] Nachor married his niece Milka, the daughter of his brother Haran.
Terach took his son Avrom, his grandson Lot the son of Haran and Sarai his daughter in law the wife of Avram. Terach and Avrom traveled with Lot and Sarai[137] from Ur Kasdim to go to the land of Canaan. They reached as far as Charan and settled there. Terach lived for 205 years and then died in Charon, over 60 years after Avrom left it for the Land of Canaan.[138] Arvrom left at age 75 and Terach was only 145 at the time.[138] Despite this, Terach's passing is mentioned at the time of Avrom's departure to not to publicize that Avrom left his old father and instead or remaining to honor him. Terach like all the wicked can be called dead, even while they are still alive. As opposed to Tzadikim like Binayahu ben Yehoyada who are called alive even after their passing.[138]
Until the time of Avrom the wrath of Hashem burned[138] but was then flipped to love and mercy. This is symbolized by the final Nun of the last word in Parshas Noach בְּחָרָֽן written backwards[138] in the Mesores version of the Torah.