Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Hashem give a seven-day warning before the flood?
A: Rashi explains that the seven-day warning was a period of mourning for Methuselah, a righteous man who had just passed away. This delay also gave people one final chance to repent and change their ways before the flood came.
Q: What is the significance of the flood lasting forty days and forty nights?
A: The number forty often represents a period of transition or purification in the Torah. The Midrash teaches that the forty days corresponded to the time it took for a fetus to form in Noah's time, symbolizing that Hashem was giving the world a chance for a 'rebirth' after the flood.
Q: Why did Hashem specifically mention destroying 'every living substance'?
A: The Rambam teaches that this emphasizes the completeness of the destruction - not just humans, but all creatures were affected because the corruption had spread throughout all of creation. However, Noah's ark preserved species to repopulate the earth afterward.
Q: How does this verse teach us about Hashem's justice and mercy?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 108a) notes that even when bringing severe judgment, Hashem shows mercy by giving warnings (like the seven days) and opportunities to repent. The flood wasn't impulsive - it came only after generations of warnings through Noah and the righteous Methuselah.
Q: What practical lesson can we learn from this verse today?
A: The Sages teach that just as Hashem gave the generation of the flood time to repent, He constantly gives us opportunities to improve ourselves. The verse reminds us that our actions matter and that we should take warnings seriously, whether they come through Torah study, our conscience, or events in our lives.
Context of the Verse
The verse (Bereishit 7:4) is part of Hashem's warning to Noach about the impending flood. It follows Hashem's command to Noach to build the ark and precedes the actual onset of the flood. The seven-day delay before the flood begins is significant in Jewish tradition, as it serves as a final opportunity for repentance.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Bereishit 7:4) explains that the seven-day delay was a period of mourning for the righteous Mesushelach (Methuselah), whose death marked the end of any remaining merit that might have protected the generation from destruction. Additionally, Rashi notes that these seven days were a final chance for repentance—had the people repented, the flood would have been averted.
Forty Days and Forty Nights
The duration of forty days and nights is interpreted by the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 32:5) as corresponding to the time it took for the formation of a fetus—symbolizing that Hashem was, in a sense, "recreating" the world after its destruction. Ramban (Nachmanides) adds that the number forty represents a complete period of judgment or transformation, as seen elsewhere in Tanach (e.g., Moshe's forty days on Har Sinai).
The Purpose of the Flood
The phrase "וּמָחִיתִי אֶת־כָּל־הַיְקוּם" ("I will destroy every living substance") emphasizes the totality of the destruction. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 108a) teaches that the flood was not merely a punishment but a necessary purification of a world that had become entirely corrupt. The term "יְקוּם" (living substance) includes even the smallest creatures, showing that corruption had permeated all levels of creation.
Moral Lessons