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<div style="text-align:center;font-weight:bold" class="header"><a href="Table" data-aht="subpage" class="btn" style="color:#832525">Open Comparison Table</a></div> | <div style="text-align:center;font-weight:bold" class="header"><a href="Table" data-aht="subpage" class="btn" style="color:#832525">Open Comparison Table</a></div> | ||
<h2>Introduction</h2> | <h2>Introduction</h2> | ||
− | Commentators as early as <multilink><a href="PhiloQuestionsandAnswersonGenesisII-66" data-aht="source">Philo</a><a href="PhiloQuestionsandAnswersonGenesisII-17" data-aht="source">Questions and Answers on Genesis II:17</a><a href="PhiloQuestionsandAnswersonGenesisII-51" data-aht="source">Questions and Answers on Genesis II:51</a><a href="PhiloQuestionsandAnswersonGenesisII-56" data-aht="source">Questions and Answers on Genesis II:56</a><a href="PhiloQuestionsandAnswersonGenesisII-66" data-aht="source">Questions and Answers on Genesis II:66</a><a href="Philo" data-aht="parshan">About Philo</a></multilink> have noted many similarities between the Flood narrative of <a href="Bereshit6-9" data-aht="source">Bereshit 6-9</a> and the description of Creation in <a href="Bereshit1-2" data-aht="source">Bereshit 1-2</a>.<fn><multilink><a href="UCassutoBereshit8-113-1422" data-aht="source">U. Cassuto</a><a href="UCassutoBereshit8-113-1422" data-aht="source">Bereshit 8:1,13-14,22</a><a href="Prof. Umberto Cassuto" data-aht="parshan">About Prof. Umberto Cassuto</a></multilink> points to several of the similarities throughout his commentary on the story. See also N. Sarna, Understanding Genesis (New York, 1966): 56 and numerous recent articles which list and analyze the parallels. See R. Z. Weitman, "הבריאה החדשה", Alon Shevut 78 (1980): 27-38 (republished <a href="http://www.etzion.org.il/vbm/update_views.php?num=9744&file=/vbm/archive/18-parsha/02noah.doc">here</a> with modifications), R. J. Berman, "המחדש בטובו מעשה בראשית", Megadim 9 (1990): 9-14, R. Y. Hershkovitz, "זכר ונקבה ברא אותם – עיון מחודש בפרשת המבול", Megadim 34 (2002): 9-25, R. Y. Grossman, <a href="http://www.etzion.org.il/vbm/archive/4-parsha/02noach.php">"בין העולם הראשון והשני"</a>, and R. E. Mayer, <a href="http://parshathemes.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/parshat-noach-creation-unzipped/">"Creation Unzipped"</a>.</fn>  While a first group of inverted parallels highlights how the Flood reversed the process of creation, a second set of direct correspondences demonstrates how the re-establishment of the world after the Deluge mirrored the original creation.<fn>For an analysis of the parallels within the Flood narrative itself between the bringing of the Flood and its removal, see <a href="Literary Devices – Bereshit 6–9" data-aht="page">Literary Devices – Bereshit 6–9</a> and the chiastic structure there. As the two halves of the Flood story are parallel, it is not surprising that they also share a relationship with the story of Creation.</fn> | + | Commentators as early as <multilink><a href="PhiloQuestionsandAnswersonGenesisII-66" data-aht="source">Philo</a><a href="PhiloQuestionsandAnswersonGenesisII-17" data-aht="source">Questions and Answers on Genesis II:17</a><a href="PhiloQuestionsandAnswersonGenesisII-51" data-aht="source">Questions and Answers on Genesis II:51</a><a href="PhiloQuestionsandAnswersonGenesisII-56" data-aht="source">Questions and Answers on Genesis II:56</a><a href="PhiloQuestionsandAnswersonGenesisII-66" data-aht="source">Questions and Answers on Genesis II:66</a><a href="Philo" data-aht="parshan">About Philo</a></multilink> have noted many similarities between the Flood narrative of <a href="Bereshit6-9" data-aht="source">Bereshit 6-9</a> and the description of Creation in <a href="Bereshit1-2" data-aht="source">Bereshit 1-2</a>.<fn><multilink><a href="UCassutoBereshit8-113-1422" data-aht="source">U. Cassuto</a><a href="UCassutoBereshit8-113-1422" data-aht="source">Bereshit 8:1,13-14,22</a><a href="Prof. Umberto Cassuto" data-aht="parshan">About Prof. Umberto Cassuto</a></multilink> points to several of the similarities throughout his commentary on the story. See also N. Sarna, Understanding Genesis (New York, 1966): 56, and numerous recent articles which list and analyze the parallels. See R. Z. Weitman, "הבריאה החדשה", Alon Shevut 78 (1980): 27-38 (republished <a href="http://www.etzion.org.il/vbm/update_views.php?num=9744&file=/vbm/archive/18-parsha/02noah.doc">here</a> with modifications), R. J. Berman, "המחדש בטובו מעשה בראשית", Megadim 9 (1990): 9-14, R. Y. Hershkovitz, "זכר ונקבה ברא אותם – עיון מחודש בפרשת המבול", Megadim 34 (2002): 9-25, R. Y. Grossman, <a href="http://www.etzion.org.il/vbm/archive/4-parsha/02noach.php">"בין העולם הראשון והשני"</a>, and R. E. Mayer, <a href="http://parshathemes.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/parshat-noach-creation-unzipped/">"Creation Unzipped"</a>.</fn>  While a first group of inverted parallels highlights how the Flood reversed the process of creation, a second set of direct correspondences demonstrates how the re-establishment of the world after the Deluge mirrored the original creation.<fn>For an analysis of the parallels within the Flood narrative itself between the bringing of the Flood and its removal, see <a href="Literary Devices – Bereshit 6–9" data-aht="page">Literary Devices – Bereshit 6–9</a> and the chiastic structure there. As the two halves of the Flood story are parallel, it is not surprising that they also share a relationship with the story of Creation.</fn> |
<h2>Undoing of Creation</h2> | <h2>Undoing of Creation</h2> | ||
− | <p> | + | <p>At the end of Parashat Bereshit (<a href="Bereshit6-9" data-aht="source">6:6-7</a>), Hashem expresses explicit remorse over having creating man ("וַיִּנָּחֶם ה' כִּי עָשָׂה אֶת הָאָדָם",‎ "כִּי נִחַמְתִּי כִּי עֲשִׂיתִם"), and decides to reverse His actions by wiping out humanity ("אֶמְחֶה אֶת הָאָדָם אֲשֶׁר בָּרָאתִי").  Further similarities between Parashat Noach's description of the world's destruction and the original Creation story are in content more than language.  However, they too serve to underscore the obvious, that the Deluge undid much of what the original creation had achieved.</p> |
<ul> | <ul> | ||
<li><b>Separated waters re-mingle</b> – Hashem's original separation between the waters on high and below is undone, as both the heavens and the depths release the flood waters.</li> | <li><b>Separated waters re-mingle</b> – Hashem's original separation between the waters on high and below is undone, as both the heavens and the depths release the flood waters.</li> | ||
<li><b>Land re-submerges</b> – In Parashat Bereshit, the ingathering of the waters allows for the land to emerge, while in Parashat Noach, water floods back over the dry ground.</li> | <li><b>Land re-submerges</b> – In Parashat Bereshit, the ingathering of the waters allows for the land to emerge, while in Parashat Noach, water floods back over the dry ground.</li> | ||
− | <li><b>All die</b> – Bereshit 1 describes the creation of bird, animal, beast and human, while the Noach | + | <li><b>All die</b> – <a href="Bereshit1-2" data-aht="source">Bereshit 1</a> describes the creation of bird, animal, beast, and human, while the account in Parashat Noach tells of their deaths.</li> |
− | <li><b>Breath of life extinguished</b> – Whereas Bereshit 2 emphasizes Hashem's breathing life into His handiwork, Bereshit 7 highlights the extinguishing of that breath.<fn>Here, though, the term refers to all living creatures and not just humans.</fn></li> | + | <li><b>Breath of life extinguished</b> – Whereas <a href="Bereshit1-2" data-aht="source">Bereshit 2</a> emphasizes Hashem's breathing life into His handiwork, <a href="Bereshit6-9" data-aht="source">Bereshit 7</a> highlights the extinguishing of that breath.<fn>Here, though, the term refers to all living creatures and not just humans.</fn></li> |
</ul> | </ul> | ||
<answer text="Show / Hide Comparison Table #1"><multilang style="overflow: auto;"> | <answer text="Show / Hide Comparison Table #1"><multilang style="overflow: auto;"> | ||
− | <table xml:lang="he | + | <table dir="rtl" xml:lang="he"> |
<tr><th> </th><th><b>בריאת העולם  (בראשית א'-ב')</b></th><th><b>המבול  (בראשית ו'-ז')</b></th></tr> | <tr><th> </th><th><b>בריאת העולם  (בראשית א'-ב')</b></th><th><b>המבול  (בראשית ו'-ז')</b></th></tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>שמים ומים</b></td> | <td><b>שמים ומים</b></td> | ||
− | <td>וְחֹשֶׁךְ עַל פְּנֵי <span style="color: #3366ff;">תְהוֹם</span> וְ<span style="color: #3366ff;">רוּחַ | + | <td>וְחֹשֶׁךְ עַל פְּנֵי <span style="color: #3366ff;">תְהוֹם</span> וְ<span style="color: #3366ff;">רוּחַ אֱ-לֹהִים</span> מְרַחֶפֶת עַל פְּנֵי <span style="color: #3366ff;">הַמָּיִם</span>... וַיַּבְדֵּל בֵּין הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מִתַּחַת לָרָקִיעַ וּבֵין <span style="color: #3366ff;">הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מֵעַל לָרָקִיעַ</span>... וַיִּקְרָא אֱ-לֹהִים לָרָקִיעַ <span style="color: #3366ff;">שָׁמָיִם</span></td> |
<td>נִבְקְעוּ כָּל מַעְיְנֹת <span style="color: #3366ff;">תְּהוֹם</span> רַבָּה וַאֲרֻבֹּת <span style="color: #3366ff;">הַשָּׁמַיִם</span> נִפְתָּחוּ</td> | <td>נִבְקְעוּ כָּל מַעְיְנֹת <span style="color: #3366ff;">תְּהוֹם</span> רַבָּה וַאֲרֻבֹּת <span style="color: #3366ff;">הַשָּׁמַיִם</span> נִפְתָּחוּ</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b> מים וארץ</b></td> | <td><b> מים וארץ</b></td> | ||
− | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר | + | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר אֱ-לֹהִים <span style="color: #993300;">יִקָּווּ הַמַּיִם</span> <span style="color: #993300;">מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמַיִם</span> אֶל מָקוֹם אֶחָד <span style="color: #993300;">וְתֵרָאֶה</span> הַיַּבָּשָׁה... וַיִּקְרָא אֱ-לֹהִים <span style="color: #993300;">לַיַּבָּשָׁה אֶרֶץ</span></td> |
<td><span style="color: #993300;">וְהַמַּיִם</span> גָּבְרוּ מְאֹד מְאֹד <span style="color: #993300;">עַל הָאָרֶץ</span> <span style="color: #993300;">וַיְכֻסּוּ</span> כָּל הֶהָרִים הַגְּבֹהִים אֲשֶׁר <span style="color: #993300;">תַּחַת כָּל הַשָּׁמָיִם</span></td> | <td><span style="color: #993300;">וְהַמַּיִם</span> גָּבְרוּ מְאֹד מְאֹד <span style="color: #993300;">עַל הָאָרֶץ</span> <span style="color: #993300;">וַיְכֻסּוּ</span> כָּל הֶהָרִים הַגְּבֹהִים אֲשֶׁר <span style="color: #993300;">תַּחַת כָּל הַשָּׁמָיִם</span></td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b> עוף, בהמה, וחיה</b></td> | <td><b> עוף, בהמה, וחיה</b></td> | ||
− | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר | + | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר אֱ-לֹהִים ... <span style="color: #ff00ff;">וְעוֹף </span>יְעוֹפֵף עַל הָאָרֶץ עַל פְּנֵי רְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמָיִם... <br/>וַיַּעַשׂ אֱ-לֹהִים אֶת <span style="color: #ff00ff;">חַיַּת הָאָרֶץ</span> לְמִינָהּ וְאֶת <span style="color: #ff00ff;">הַבְּהֵמָה</span> לְמִינָהּ וְאֵת כָּל <span style="color: #ff00ff;">רֶמֶשׂ הָאֲדָמָה</span> לְמִינֵהוּ</td> |
<td>וַיִּגְוַע כָּל בָּשָׂר <span style="color: #ff00ff;">הָרֹמֵשׂ עַל הָאָרֶץ</span> <span style="color: #ff00ff;">בָּעוֹף וּבַבְּהֵמָה וּבַחַיָּה</span> וּבְכָל הַשֶּׁרֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵץ עַל הָאָרֶץ</td> | <td>וַיִּגְוַע כָּל בָּשָׂר <span style="color: #ff00ff;">הָרֹמֵשׂ עַל הָאָרֶץ</span> <span style="color: #ff00ff;">בָּעוֹף וּבַבְּהֵמָה וּבַחַיָּה</span> וּבְכָל הַשֶּׁרֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵץ עַל הָאָרֶץ</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>אדם</b></td> | <td><b>אדם</b></td> | ||
− | <td><span style="color: #ff0000;">וַיִּבְרָא</span> | + | <td><span style="color: #ff0000;">וַיִּבְרָא</span> אֱ-לֹהִים <span style="color: #ff0000;">אֶת הָאָדָם</span> בְּצַלְמוֹ בְּצֶלֶם אֱ-לֹהִים בָּרָא אֹתוֹ <span style="color: #ff0000;">זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה</span> בָּרָא אֹתָם</td> |
<td>אֶמְחֶה <span style="color: #ff0000;">אֶת הָאָדָם אֲשֶׁר בָּרָאתִי</span> מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה</td> | <td>אֶמְחֶה <span style="color: #ff0000;">אֶת הָאָדָם אֲשֶׁר בָּרָאתִי</span> מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
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<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>מסקנת ה'</b></td> | <td><b>מסקנת ה'</b></td> | ||
− | <td><span style="color: #00ffff;">וַיַּרְא</span> | + | <td><span style="color: #00ffff;">וַיַּרְא</span> אֱ-לֹהִים אֶת כָּל אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה וְהִנֵּה <span style="color: #00ffff;">טוֹב</span> מְאֹד</td> |
<td><span style="color: #00ffff;">וַיַּרְא</span> ה' כִּי רַבָּה <span style="color: #00ffff;">רָעַת</span> הָאָדָם בָּאָרֶץ וְכָל יֵצֶר מַחְשְׁבֹת לִבּוֹ רַק <span style="color: #00ffff;">רַע</span> כָּל הַיּוֹם</td> | <td><span style="color: #00ffff;">וַיַּרְא</span> ה' כִּי רַבָּה <span style="color: #00ffff;">רָעַת</span> הָאָדָם בָּאָרֶץ וְכָל יֵצֶר מַחְשְׁבֹת לִבּוֹ רַק <span style="color: #00ffff;">רַע</span> כָּל הַיּוֹם</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
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<h2>Re-creation</h2> | <h2>Re-creation</h2> | ||
− | <p>The description of the re-emergence of life, in the second half of the Flood narrative, similarly draws the reader back to the original creation story. Here the numerous parallels are direct and highlight how Hashem renewed the world, giving mankind a fresh start. The similarities between the two accounts include:</p> | + | <p>The description of the re-emergence of life, in the second half of the Flood narrative, similarly draws the reader back to the original creation story. Here, the numerous parallels are direct and highlight how Hashem renewed the world, giving mankind a fresh start. The similarities between the two accounts include:</p> |
<ul> | <ul> | ||
<li><b>State of the world pre-creation</b> – In both cases, before life is created, water filled the earth and a wind or spirit hovered or passed over it.</li> | <li><b>State of the world pre-creation</b> – In both cases, before life is created, water filled the earth and a wind or spirit hovered or passed over it.</li> | ||
− | <li><b>Dates</b> – | + | <li><b>Dates</b> – Bereshit 8:13 records that the flood waters dried up on the first day of the first month, the very same day on which the world was created.<fn>See discussion in Bavli Rosh Hashanah 10b-11a regarding whether the first month is Nisan or Tishrei.</fn></li> |
<li><b>The elements and order of creation</b> – Both stories contain explicit mention of the separation of higher and lower waters, the appearance of land and vegetation, markers of time, and the emergence of birds, animals, and man.<fn>The order, though, is different. After the Flood, humans exit the ark before the animals, while in Bereshit 1 they are created last.</fn></li> | <li><b>The elements and order of creation</b> – Both stories contain explicit mention of the separation of higher and lower waters, the appearance of land and vegetation, markers of time, and the emergence of birds, animals, and man.<fn>The order, though, is different. After the Flood, humans exit the ark before the animals, while in Bereshit 1 they are created last.</fn></li> | ||
− | <li><b>Blessings</b> – Both accounts detail Hashem's blessing of abundant procreation to both birds<fn>After the Deluge, it is not just the birds which are told to multiply, but the animals and beasts as well.</fn> and humans | + | <li><b>Blessings</b> – Both accounts detail Hashem's blessing of abundant procreation to both birds<fn>After the Deluge, it is not just the birds which are told to multiply, but the animals and beasts as well.</fn> and humans as well as the promise that mankind will have dominion over the animals.</li> |
− | <li><b>Command to eat</b> – In Bereshit 1, Hashem allows man to eat from all vegetation, while in Bereshit 9, He adds that they can also eat from living creatures.<fn>The scope of this permission is the subject of debate amongst the commentators – See <multilink><a href="ShadalBereshit9-4" data-aht="source">Shadal</a><a href="ShadalBereshit9-4" data-aht="source">Bereshit 9:4</a><a href="R. Shemuel David Luzzatto (Shadal)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto</a></multilink>.  For more, see Permission to Eat Meat.</fn></li> | + | <li><b>Command to eat</b> – In Bereshit 1, Hashem allows man to eat from all vegetation, while in Bereshit 9, He adds that they can also eat from living creatures.<fn>The scope of this permission is the subject of debate amongst the commentators – See <multilink><a href="ShadalBereshit9-4" data-aht="source">Shadal</a><a href="ShadalBereshit9-4" data-aht="source">Bereshit 9:4</a><a href="R. Shemuel David Luzzatto (Shadal)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto</a></multilink>.  For more, see <a href="Permission to Eat Meat" data-aht="page">Permission to Eat Meat</a>.</fn></li> |
<li><b>Restrictions</b> – Hashem bans certain foods in both stories. In Bereshit 2, the fruit of the tree of knowledge is prohibited, while in Bereshit 9, Hashem warns against eating the blood of animals.</li> | <li><b>Restrictions</b> – Hashem bans certain foods in both stories. In Bereshit 2, the fruit of the tree of knowledge is prohibited, while in Bereshit 9, Hashem warns against eating the blood of animals.</li> | ||
<li><b>Occupation of man</b> – The first human is named "אָדָם" and is commanded to work the land. Noach is similarly referred to as "אִישׁ הָאֲדָמָה", and soon after the flood subsides, he plants a vineyard.</li> | <li><b>Occupation of man</b> – The first human is named "אָדָם" and is commanded to work the land. Noach is similarly referred to as "אִישׁ הָאֲדָמָה", and soon after the flood subsides, he plants a vineyard.</li> | ||
</ul> | </ul> | ||
<answer text="Show / Hide Comparison Table #2"><multilang style="overflow: auto;"> | <answer text="Show / Hide Comparison Table #2"><multilang style="overflow: auto;"> | ||
− | <table xml:lang="he | + | <table dir="rtl" xml:lang="he"> |
<tr><th> </th><th><b>בריאת העולם  (בראשית א'-ב')</b></th><th><b>בריאה מחודשת  (בראשית ח'-ט')</b></th></tr> | <tr><th> </th><th><b>בריאת העולם  (בראשית א'-ב')</b></th><th><b>בריאה מחודשת  (בראשית ח'-ט')</b></th></tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>שמים ומים</b></td> | <td><b>שמים ומים</b></td> | ||
− | <td>וְחֹשֶׁךְ עַל פְּנֵי <span style="color: #3366ff;">תְהוֹם</span> וְ<span style="color: #3366ff;">רוּחַ | + | <td>וְחֹשֶׁךְ עַל פְּנֵי <span style="color: #3366ff;">תְהוֹם</span> וְ<span style="color: #3366ff;">רוּחַ אֱ-לֹהִים</span> מְרַחֶפֶת עַל פְּנֵי <span style="color: #3366ff;">הַמָּיִם</span>... וַיַּבְדֵּל בֵּין הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מִתַּחַת לָרָקִיעַ וּבֵין <span style="color: #3366ff;">הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מֵעַל לָרָקִיעַ</span>... וַיִּקְרָא אֱ-לֹהִים לָרָקִיעַ <span style="color: #3366ff;">שָׁמָיִם</span></td> |
− | <td>וַיִּזְכֹּר | + | <td>וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱ-לֹהִים אֶת נֹחַ... וַיַּעֲבֵר <span style="color: #3366ff;">אֱ-לֹהִים רוּחַ</span> עַל הָאָרֶץ וַיָּשֹׁכּוּ <span style="color: #3366ff;">הַמָּיִם</span>. וַיִּסָּכְרוּ מַעְיְנֹת <span style="color: #3366ff;">תְּהוֹם</span> וַאֲרֻבֹּת הַשָּׁמָיִם וַיִּכָּלֵא <span style="color: #3366ff;">הַגֶּשֶׁם מִן הַשָּׁמָיִם</span></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b> מים וארץ</b></td> | <td><b> מים וארץ</b></td> | ||
− | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר | + | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר אֱ-לֹהִים <span style="color: #993300;">יִקָּווּ הַמַּיִם</span> <span style="color: #993300;">מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמַיִם</span> אֶל מָקוֹם אֶחָד <span style="color: #993300;">וְתֵרָאֶה</span> הַיַּבָּשָׁה... וַיִּקְרָא אֱ-לֹהִים <span style="color: #993300;">לַיַּבָּשָׁה אֶרֶץ</span></td> |
<td><span style="color: #993300;">וַיָּשֻׁבוּ הַמַּיִם מֵעַל הָאָרֶץ</span>... <span style="color: #993300;">נִרְאוּ</span> רָאשֵׁי הֶהָרִים... <span style="color: #993300;">יָבְשָׁה הָאָרֶץ</span></td> | <td><span style="color: #993300;">וַיָּשֻׁבוּ הַמַּיִם מֵעַל הָאָרֶץ</span>... <span style="color: #993300;">נִרְאוּ</span> רָאשֵׁי הֶהָרִים... <span style="color: #993300;">יָבְשָׁה הָאָרֶץ</span></td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>צמחים</b></td> | <td><b>צמחים</b></td> | ||
− | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר | + | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר אֱ-לֹהִים תַּדְשֵׁא הָאָרֶץ דֶּשֶׁא עֵשֶׂב מַזְרִיעַ זֶרַע <span style="color: #339966;">עֵץ פְּרִי עֹשֶׂה פְּרִי</span></td> |
<td>וְהִנֵּה <span style="color: #339966;">עֲלֵה זַיִת</span> טָרָף בְּפִיהָ</td> | <td>וְהִנֵּה <span style="color: #339966;">עֲלֵה זַיִת</span> טָרָף בְּפִיהָ</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>מאורות ועונות השנה</b></td> | <td><b>מאורות ועונות השנה</b></td> | ||
− | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר | + | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר אֱ-לֹהִים יְהִי מְאֹרֹת בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם לְהַבְדִּיל בֵּין <span style="color: #ff6600;">הַיּוֹם</span> וּבֵין <span style="color: #ff6600;">הַלָּיְלָה</span> וְהָיוּ לְאֹתֹת וּלְמוֹעֲדִים וּלְיָמִים <span style="color: #ff6600;">וְשָׁנִים</span></td> |
<td>עֹד כָּל יְמֵי הָאָרֶץ זֶרַע וְקָצִיר וְקֹר וָחֹם <span style="color: #ff6600;">וְקַיִץ וָחֹרֶף וְיוֹם וָלַיְלָה</span> לֹא יִשְׁבֹּתוּ</td> | <td>עֹד כָּל יְמֵי הָאָרֶץ זֶרַע וְקָצִיר וְקֹר וָחֹם <span style="color: #ff6600;">וְקַיִץ וָחֹרֶף וְיוֹם וָלַיְלָה</span> לֹא יִשְׁבֹּתוּ</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b> עוף, בהמה, וחיה</b></td> | <td><b> עוף, בהמה, וחיה</b></td> | ||
− | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר | + | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר אֱ-לֹהִים ... <span style="color: #ff00ff;">וְעוֹף </span>יְעוֹפֵף עַל הָאָרֶץ עַל פְּנֵי רְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמָיִם... <br/>וַיַּעַשׂ אֱ-לֹהִים אֶת <span style="color: #ff00ff;">חַיַּת הָאָרֶץ</span> לְמִינָהּ וְאֶת <span style="color: #ff00ff;">הַבְּהֵמָה</span> לְמִינָהּ וְאֵת כָּל <span style="color: #ff00ff;">רֶמֶשׂ הָאֲדָמָה</span> לְמִינֵהוּ</td> |
<td>כָּל <span style="color: #ff00ff;">הַחַיָּה</span> אֲשֶׁר אִתְּךָ מִכָּל בָּשָׂר <span style="color: #ff00ff;">בָּעוֹף וּבַבְּהֵמָה</span> וּבְכָל <span style="color: #ff00ff;">הָרֶמֶשׂ הָרֹמֵשׂ עַל הָאָרֶץ</span> הַ[יְ]צֵא אִתָּךְ</td> | <td>כָּל <span style="color: #ff00ff;">הַחַיָּה</span> אֲשֶׁר אִתְּךָ מִכָּל בָּשָׂר <span style="color: #ff00ff;">בָּעוֹף וּבַבְּהֵמָה</span> וּבְכָל <span style="color: #ff00ff;">הָרֶמֶשׂ הָרֹמֵשׂ עַל הָאָרֶץ</span> הַ[יְ]צֵא אִתָּךְ</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>אדם</b></td> | <td><b>אדם</b></td> | ||
− | <td><span style="color: #ff0000;">וַיִּבְרָא</span> | + | <td><span style="color: #ff0000;">וַיִּבְרָא</span> אֱ-לֹהִים <span style="color: #ff0000;">אֶת הָאָדָם</span> בְּצַלְמוֹ בְּצֶלֶם אֱ-לֹהִים בָּרָא אֹתוֹ <span style="color: #ff0000;">זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה</span> בָּרָא אֹתָם</td> |
<td>וַיֵּצֵא <span style="color: #ff0000;">נֹחַ וּבָנָיו וְאִשְׁתּוֹ וּנְשֵׁי בָנָיו</span></td> | <td>וַיֵּצֵא <span style="color: #ff0000;">נֹחַ וּבָנָיו וְאִשְׁתּוֹ וּנְשֵׁי בָנָיו</span></td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
Line 136: | Line 136: | ||
<td><b>נשמת חיים</b></td> | <td><b>נשמת חיים</b></td> | ||
<td>וַיִּפַּח <span style="color: #ff9900;">בְּאַפָּיו נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים </span>וַיְהִי הָאָדָם לְנֶפֶשׁ <span style="color: #ff9900;">חַיָּה</span></td> | <td>וַיִּפַּח <span style="color: #ff9900;">בְּאַפָּיו נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים </span>וַיְהִי הָאָדָם לְנֶפֶשׁ <span style="color: #ff9900;">חַיָּה</span></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>ברכה לעופות וברכה לאדם</b></td> | <td><b>ברכה לעופות וברכה לאדם</b></td> | ||
− | <td>וַיְבָרֶךְ אֹתָם | + | <td>וַיְבָרֶךְ אֹתָם אֱ-לֹהִים לֵאמֹר <span style="color: #0000ff;">פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ</span>... וְהָעוֹף <span style="color: #0000ff;">יִרֶב בָּאָרֶץ</span>... <br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">וַיְבָרֶךְ </span>אֹתָם<span style="color: #0000ff;"> אֱ-לֹהִים וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם אֱ-לֹהִים פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ וּמִלְאוּ אֶת הָאָרֶץ</span> וְכִבְשֻׁהָ <span style="color: #0000ff;">וּרְדוּ בִּדְגַת הַיָּם וּבְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וּבְכָל חַיָּה הָרֹמֶשֶׂת עַל הָאָרֶץ</span></td> |
− | <td>וְשָׁרְצוּ בָאָרֶץ <span style="color: #0000ff;">וּפָרוּ וְרָבוּ עַל הָאָרֶץ</span>... <br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">וַיְבָרֶךְ | + | <td>וְשָׁרְצוּ בָאָרֶץ <span style="color: #0000ff;">וּפָרוּ וְרָבוּ עַל הָאָרֶץ</span>... <br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱ-לֹהִים </span>אֶת נֹחַ וְאֶת בָּנָיו<span style="color: #0000ff;"> וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ וּמִלְאוּ אֶת הָאָרֶץ. </span>וּמוֹרַאֲכֶם וְחִתְּכֶם יִהְיֶה<span style="color: #0000ff;"> עַל כָּל חַיַּת הָאָרֶץ וְעַל כָּל עוֹף הַשָּׁמָיִם בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר תִּרְמֹשׂ הָאֲדָמָה</span> <span style="color: #0000ff;">וּבְכָל דְּגֵי הַיָּם בְּיֶדְכֶם נִתָּנוּ</span></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>מאכל האדם</b></td> | <td><b>מאכל האדם</b></td> | ||
− | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר | + | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר אֱ-לֹהִים הִנֵּה נָתַתִּי לָכֶם אֶת <span style="color: #99cc00;">כָּל עֵשֶׂב</span> זֹרֵעַ זֶרַע אֲשֶׁר עַל פְּנֵי כָל הָאָרֶץ וְאֶת כָּל הָעֵץ אֲשֶׁר בּוֹ פְרִי עֵץ זֹרֵעַ זָרַע <span style="color: #99cc00;">לָכֶם יִהְיֶה לְאָכְלָה</span></td> |
<td>כָּל רֶמֶשׂ אֲשֶׁר הוּא חַי <span style="color: #99cc00;">לָכֶם יִהְיֶה לְאָכְלָה כְּיֶרֶק עֵשֶׂב</span> נָתַתִּי לָכֶם אֶת <span style="color: #99cc00;">כֹּל</span></td> | <td>כָּל רֶמֶשׂ אֲשֶׁר הוּא חַי <span style="color: #99cc00;">לָכֶם יִהְיֶה לְאָכְלָה כְּיֶרֶק עֵשֶׂב</span> נָתַתִּי לָכֶם אֶת <span style="color: #99cc00;">כֹּל</span></td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
Line 155: | Line 155: | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>עבודת האדמה</b></td> | <td><b>עבודת האדמה</b></td> | ||
− | <td><span style="color: #800080;">וַיִּטַּע</span> ה' | + | <td><span style="color: #800080;">וַיִּטַּע</span> ה' אֱ-לֹהִים <span style="color: #800080;">גַּן</span> בְּעֵדֶן... וַיְשַׁלְּחֵהוּ ה' אֱ-לֹהִים מִגַּן עֵדֶן <span style="color: #800080;">לַעֲבֹד אֶת הָאֲדָמָה</span> אֲשֶׁר לֻקַּח מִשָּׁם</td> |
<td>וַיָּחֶל נֹחַ <span style="color: #800080;">אִישׁ הָאֲדָמָה וַיִּטַּע</span> <span style="color: #800080;">כָּרֶם</span></td> | <td>וַיָּחֶל נֹחַ <span style="color: #800080;">אִישׁ הָאֲדָמָה וַיִּטַּע</span> <span style="color: #800080;">כָּרֶם</span></td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>מסקנת ה'</b></td> | <td><b>מסקנת ה'</b></td> | ||
− | <td><span style="color: #00ffff;">וַיַּרְא</span> | + | <td><span style="color: #00ffff;">וַיַּרְא</span> אֱ-לֹהִים אֶת כָּל אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה וְהִנֵּה <span style="color: #00ffff;">טוֹב</span> מְאֹד</td> |
<td>וַיָּרַח ה'... וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֶל לִבּוֹ לֹא אֹסִף לְקַלֵּל עוֹד אֶת הָאֲדָמָה בַּעֲבוּר הָאָדָם כִּי יֵצֶר לֵב הָאָדָם <span style="color: #00ffff;">רַע</span> מִנְּעֻרָיו</td> | <td>וַיָּרַח ה'... וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֶל לִבּוֹ לֹא אֹסִף לְקַלֵּל עוֹד אֶת הָאֲדָמָה בַּעֲבוּר הָאָדָם כִּי יֵצֶר לֵב הָאָדָם <span style="color: #00ffff;">רַע</span> מִנְּעֻרָיו</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
Line 170: | Line 170: | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Heavens / Earth</b></td> | <td><b>Heavens / Earth</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Land / Sea</b></td> | <td><b>Land / Sea</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Vegetation</b></td> | <td><b>Vegetation</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Luminaries / Seasons</b></td> | <td><b>Luminaries / Seasons</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Birds / Animals</b></td> | <td><b>Birds / Animals</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Humans</b></td> | <td><b>Humans</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Breath of Life</b></td> | <td><b>Breath of Life</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Blessing of Birds / Blessing of Man</b></td> | <td><b>Blessing of Birds / Blessing of Man</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Food</b></td> | <td><b>Food</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Restrictions</b></td> | <td><b>Restrictions</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Working the Land</b></td> | <td><b>Working the Land</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Hashem's Conclusion</b></td> | <td><b>Hashem's Conclusion</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
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<h2>Analysis of Parallels</h2> | <h2>Analysis of Parallels</h2> | ||
− | <p>To determine whether these parallels are intentional allusions or simply coincidental similarities one must consider the number and concentration of the parallels, the degree of their linguistic similarity, and the relative uniqueness of the shared phrases or concepts.<fn>The repeated use of a particular word | + | <p>To determine whether these parallels are intentional allusions or simply coincidental similarities, one must consider the number and concentration of the parallels, the degree of their linguistic similarity, and the relative uniqueness of the shared phrases or concepts.<fn>The repeated use of a particular word is much more significant if the word appears only a handful of times in Tanakh than if it appears often. Similarly, if there is only a single word in Biblical Hebrew for a certain object or concept, the repeated use of that word is less significant than when the Torah chooses one of several possible synonyms.  For more, see <a href="Literary:Biblical Parallels" data-aht="page">Biblical Parallels</a>.</fn>  In this case, there are a significant number of conceptual parallels between the two narratives, but the extent of the linguistic overlap and the rarity of the choice of terms must be examined more closely:</p> |
<ul> | <ul> | ||
− | <li><b>Wind over water</b> – The concept of wind/spirit passing over water appears only in the stories of the Creation, the Flood, and the splitting of Yam Suf.  In addition, the phrase "עַל פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם" appears, besides in these two stories,<fn>In the Flood narrative it appears not in the section that details the re-creation but in the description of the ark floating on the water.</fn> only in Shemot 32:20 and Kohelet 11:1.</li> | + | <li><b>Wind over water</b> – The concept of wind/spirit passing over water appears only in the stories of the Creation, the Flood, and the splitting of Yam Suf.  In addition, the phrase "עַל פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם" appears, besides in these two stories,<fn>In the Flood narrative it appears not in the section that details the re-creation but rather in the description of the ark floating on the water.</fn> only in Shemot 32:20 and Kohelet 11:1.</li> |
− | <li><b>Mingling or separation of waters</b> – Although there is no linguistic similarity between the descriptions of the mingling/separation between the higher and lower waters, it is only in these two stories that such a concept appears.<fn>There are other places, though, which speak of both the waters of the heavens and waters of the depths. Thus, for example, Yosef is blessed by each of Yaakov and Moshe with abundance of both such waters.</fn>  | + | <li><b>Mingling or separation of waters</b> – Although there is no linguistic similarity between the descriptions of the mingling/separation between the higher and lower waters, it is only in these two stories that such a concept appears.<fn>There are other places, though, which speak of both the waters of the heavens and waters of the depths. Thus, for example, Yosef is blessed by each of Yaakov and Moshe with abundance of both such waters.</fn>  Additionally, the word "תְּהוֹם" appears in both stories,<fn>In Bereshit 1, the context is not the separation of waters, but the hovering of Hashem's spirit.</fn> accounting for three of its five appearances in Torah.<fn>As per the note above, the other appearances are in the blessings to Yosef.</fn></li> |
<li><b>Elements of Creation</b> – The words used in the two accounts do not overlap significantly, and most of them are not unique to these stories.</li> | <li><b>Elements of Creation</b> – The words used in the two accounts do not overlap significantly, and most of them are not unique to these stories.</li> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
− | <li><b>Heavens and earth</b> – The "יַבָּשָׁה" of Bereshit 1 is alternately referred to in Bereshit 6-9 as "אֲדָמָה" or "אָרֶץ‎".<fn>The verb form "יָבְשָׁה" does appear, but alongside its synonym "חָרְבוּ".</fn>  This, though, might be expected as the text states that | + | <li><b>Heavens and earth</b> – The "יַבָּשָׁה" of Bereshit 1 is alternately referred to in Bereshit 6-9 as "אֲדָמָה" or "אָרֶץ‎".<fn>The verb form "יָבְשָׁה" does appear, but alongside its synonym "חָרְבוּ".</fn>  This, though, might be expected, as the text states that after its appearance Hashem called the dry land "אֶרֶץ"‎.<fn>The original term does appear elsewhere in Tanakh, in particular where there is an emphasis on removing water to uncover dry land, such as in the stories of the splitting of Yam Suf and the Jordan. In these cases, though, only one specific portion of land is referred to, not the entire earth.</fn>  Similarly the word "רָקִיעַ" is replaced by "שָׁמָיִם", its new name.</li> |
− | <li><b>Vegetation</b> – There is | + | <li><b>Vegetation</b> – There is merely an allusion to the renewed vegetation in the mention of the olive branch, with no direct connection to the plant list of Bereshit: "דֶּשֶׁא עֵשֶׂב מַזְרִיעַ זֶרַע עֵץ פְּרִי".</li> |
<li><b>Animals</b> – The combined mention of birds, animals, beasts, and swarming creatures is not unique to these stories.<fn>Interestingly, though, of the twenty-nine mentions of the root רמש in Tanakh, seventeen are found in the Creation and Flood narratives.</fn></li> | <li><b>Animals</b> – The combined mention of birds, animals, beasts, and swarming creatures is not unique to these stories.<fn>Interestingly, though, of the twenty-nine mentions of the root רמש in Tanakh, seventeen are found in the Creation and Flood narratives.</fn></li> | ||
<li><b>"לְמִינוֹ" / "לְמִינֵהוּ"</b> – In contrast to the above, this term is somewhat unique, appearing only by the names of the plant and animal species created in Bereshit, the list of animals entering the ark, and the list of prohibited foods in Vayikra 11 and Devarim 14.</li> | <li><b>"לְמִינוֹ" / "לְמִינֵהוּ"</b> – In contrast to the above, this term is somewhat unique, appearing only by the names of the plant and animal species created in Bereshit, the list of animals entering the ark, and the list of prohibited foods in Vayikra 11 and Devarim 14.</li> | ||
</ul> | </ul> | ||
− | <li><b>Blessings</b> – The language of the two blessings is almost identical.  Moreover the phrase "פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ" appears in only these two sets of chapters | + | <li><b>Blessings</b> – The language of the two blessings is almost identical.  Moreover the phrase "פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ" appears in only these two sets of chapters as well as Yirmeyahu 23:3 and Yechezkel 36:11.<fn>Here the terms are reversed, reading "וְרָבוּ וּפָרוּ". Both of these prophets use the phrase when describing the in-gathering of exiles and return to Israel (a re-creation in its own right).</fn></li> |
</ul> | </ul> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
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<ul> | <ul> | ||
<li><b>Active / passive intervention</b> – In the Creation story of Bereshit 1, Hashem plays an active role in every step of creation, commanding on each day that another aspect of the world be engendered. In the Flood story, in contrast, although Hashem remembers Noach and begins the process by sending a wind over the waters, everything afterwards seems to evolve through natural processes.</li> | <li><b>Active / passive intervention</b> – In the Creation story of Bereshit 1, Hashem plays an active role in every step of creation, commanding on each day that another aspect of the world be engendered. In the Flood story, in contrast, although Hashem remembers Noach and begins the process by sending a wind over the waters, everything afterwards seems to evolve through natural processes.</li> | ||
− | <li><b>Duration of creation</b> – | + | <li><b>Duration of creation</b> – Bereshit 1 gives the impression that Hashem originally made the world in a mere seven days,<fn>In reality, commentators debate whether the "seven days" of Creation were twenty-four hour periods or much longer epochs.</fn> with each new form of life generated instantaneously upon command.  In contrast, the re-creation of the world takes many months, with the waters receding gradually rather than immediately.<fn>This may reflect a shift to a less overt Divine presence in the world.</fn></li> |
</ul> | </ul> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
− | <li><b>Absence of fish</b> – All of the created beings mentioned in Bereshit 1 appear in the Flood narrative with the exception of fish and other water creatures. Does the absence of fish here suggest that they had not been destroyed in the Flood (and thus, there was no need to replenish their populations)?<fn>See <multilink><a href="IbnEzraBereshit6-18" data-aht="source">Ibn Ezra</a><a href="IbnEzraBereshit6-18" data-aht="source">Bereshit 6:18</a><a href="R. Avraham ibn Ezra" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham ibn Ezra</a></multilink> who posits that a pair of fish were also placed on the ark and are included in the term "בָּשָׂר", suggesting that the rest were killed in the Flood. Contrast with <multilink><a href="RadakBereshit7-22-23" data-aht="source">Radak</a><a href="RadakBereshit6-19" data-aht="source">Bereshit 6:19</a><a href="RadakBereshit7-22-23" data-aht="source">Bereshit 7:22-23</a><a href="R. David Kimchi (Radak)" data-aht="parshan">About R. David Kimchi</a></multilink> who asserts that just land | + | <li><b>Absence of fish</b> – All of the created beings mentioned in Bereshit 1 appear in the Flood narrative with the exception of fish and other water creatures. Does the absence of fish here suggest that they had not been destroyed in the Flood (and thus, there was no need to replenish their populations)?<fn>See <multilink><a href="IbnEzraBereshit6-18" data-aht="source">Ibn Ezra</a><a href="IbnEzraBereshit6-18" data-aht="source">Bereshit 6:18</a><a href="R. Avraham ibn Ezra" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham ibn Ezra</a></multilink> who posits that a pair of fish were also placed on the ark and are included in the term "בָּשָׂר", suggesting that the rest were killed in the Flood. Contrast with <multilink><a href="RadakBereshit7-22-23" data-aht="source">Radak</a><a href="RadakBereshit6-19" data-aht="source">Bereshit 6:19</a><a href="RadakBereshit7-22-23" data-aht="source">Bereshit 7:22-23</a><a href="R. David Kimchi (Radak)" data-aht="parshan">About R. David Kimchi</a></multilink> who asserts that just land animals are included in the term, and that the fish were not brought into the ark since they were not killed in the waters anyway.  See also <multilink><a href="RambanBereshit7-23" data-aht="source">Ramban</a><a href="RambanBereshit7-23" data-aht="source">Bereshit 7:23</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Nachman (Ramban, Nachmanides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Nachman</a></multilink> who discusses the issue at length.</fn></li> |
− | <li><b>Evaluation of Creation</b> – In Bereshit 1, after each day of Creation Hashem observes that his handiwork "was good".  In Bereshit 6, on the other hand, Hashem's realization that "רַבָּה רָעַת הָאָדָם" leads Him to bring the | + | <li><b>Evaluation of Creation</b> – In Bereshit 1, after each day of Creation Hashem observes that his handiwork "was good".  In Bereshit 6, on the other hand, Hashem's realization that "רַבָּה רָעַת הָאָדָם" leads Him to bring the Flood.  Even after the Flood, Hashem still concludes that "יֵצֶר לֵב הָאָדָם רַע מִנְּעֻרָיו", this time leading to the promise never again to destroy the world.</li> |
</ul> | </ul> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
− | <li><b>Creation of man</b> – In the original | + | <li><b>Creation of man</b> – In the original Creation story, man is created last, as Hashem's grand finale. After the Flood, in contrast, man emerges into the new world before the animals. Does the difference in order hint to some change in the status of man, or is the change insignificant, relating, instead to practical considerations?</li> |
<li><b>Food permitted</b> – After the Deluge, man is allowed to eat from living creatures,<fn>See the note above regarding the extent of this permission.</fn> while originally only vegetation had been allowed. What led to this change? For elaboration, see <a href="Permission to Eat Meat" data-aht="page">Permission to Eat Meat</a>.</li> | <li><b>Food permitted</b> – After the Deluge, man is allowed to eat from living creatures,<fn>See the note above regarding the extent of this permission.</fn> while originally only vegetation had been allowed. What led to this change? For elaboration, see <a href="Permission to Eat Meat" data-aht="page">Permission to Eat Meat</a>.</li> | ||
</ul> | </ul> | ||
<h2>Conclusion</h2> | <h2>Conclusion</h2> | ||
− | <p>On the most basic level, the many similarities between the accounts show that the Flood and its aftermath were both an undoing and redoing of creation.  Although man sinned grievously, Hashem does not give up on him, but rather gives the world a fresh start, creating it anew and returning it to its innocent beginnings.<fn>This emphasis on Hashem's mercy after the | + | <p>On the most basic level, the many similarities between the accounts show that the Flood and its aftermath were both an undoing and redoing of creation.  Although man sinned grievously, Hashem does not give up on him, but rather gives the world a fresh start, creating it anew and returning it to its innocent beginnings.<fn>This emphasis on Hashem's mercy after the Flood is one of the points of contrast between the Biblical account of the Flood and its Mesopotamian parallels.  In the  Epic of Gilgamesh, the gods are angry that there were survivors, and in the Babylonian Epic of Atrahasis, they even look for other solutions for population control.  For elaboration, see <a href="The_Mabbul_and_Mesopotamian_Myths" data-aht="page">The Mabbul and Mesopotamian Myths</a>.</fn> The new world though is not created in exactly the same manner as the first, and Hashem's view of and relationship to man changes. The miraculous nature of the original construction is replaced by a much more natural development, and Hashem is more distant.</p> |
<answer text="Show / Hide Combined Comparison Table"><multilang style="overflow: auto;"> | <answer text="Show / Hide Combined Comparison Table"><multilang style="overflow: auto;"> | ||
− | <table xml:lang="he | + | <table dir="rtl" xml:lang="he"> |
<tr><th> </th><th><b>בריאת העולם  (בראשית א'-ב')</b></th><th><b>המבול  (בראשית ו'-ז')</b></th><th><b>בריאה מחודשת  (בראשית ח'-ט')</b></th></tr> | <tr><th> </th><th><b>בריאת העולם  (בראשית א'-ב')</b></th><th><b>המבול  (בראשית ו'-ז')</b></th><th><b>בריאה מחודשת  (בראשית ח'-ט')</b></th></tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>שמים ומים</b></td> | <td><b>שמים ומים</b></td> | ||
− | <td>וְחֹשֶׁךְ עַל פְּנֵי <span style="color: #3366ff;">תְהוֹם</span> וְ<span style="color: #3366ff;">רוּחַ | + | <td>וְחֹשֶׁךְ עַל פְּנֵי <span style="color: #3366ff;">תְהוֹם</span> וְ<span style="color: #3366ff;">רוּחַ אֱ-לֹהִים</span> מְרַחֶפֶת עַל פְּנֵי <span style="color: #3366ff;">הַמָּיִם</span>... וַיַּבְדֵּל בֵּין הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מִתַּחַת לָרָקִיעַ וּבֵין <span style="color: #3366ff;">הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מֵעַל לָרָקִיעַ</span>... וַיִּקְרָא אֱ-לֹהִים לָרָקִיעַ <span style="color: #3366ff;">שָׁמָיִם</span></td> |
<td>נִבְקְעוּ כָּל מַעְיְנֹת <span style="color: #3366ff;">תְּהוֹם</span> רַבָּה וַאֲרֻבֹּת <span style="color: #3366ff;">הַשָּׁמַיִם</span> נִפְתָּחוּ</td> | <td>נִבְקְעוּ כָּל מַעְיְנֹת <span style="color: #3366ff;">תְּהוֹם</span> רַבָּה וַאֲרֻבֹּת <span style="color: #3366ff;">הַשָּׁמַיִם</span> נִפְתָּחוּ</td> | ||
− | <td>וַיִּזְכֹּר | + | <td>וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱ-לֹהִים אֶת נֹחַ... וַיַּעֲבֵר <span style="color: #3366ff;">אֱ-לֹהִים רוּחַ</span> עַל הָאָרֶץ וַיָּשֹׁכּוּ <span style="color: #3366ff;">הַמָּיִם</span>. וַיִּסָּכְרוּ מַעְיְנֹת <span style="color: #3366ff;">תְּהוֹם</span> וַאֲרֻבֹּת הַשָּׁמָיִם וַיִּכָּלֵא <span style="color: #3366ff;">הַגֶּשֶׁם מִן הַשָּׁמָיִם</span></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b> מים וארץ</b></td> | <td><b> מים וארץ</b></td> | ||
− | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר | + | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר אֱ-לֹהִים <span style="color: #993300;">יִקָּווּ הַמַּיִם</span> <span style="color: #993300;">מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמַיִם</span> אֶל מָקוֹם אֶחָד <span style="color: #993300;">וְתֵרָאֶה</span> הַיַּבָּשָׁה... וַיִּקְרָא אֱ-לֹהִים <span style="color: #993300;">לַיַּבָּשָׁה אֶרֶץ</span></td> |
<td><span style="color: #993300;">וְהַמַּיִם</span> גָּבְרוּ מְאֹד מְאֹד <span style="color: #993300;">עַל הָאָרֶץ</span> <span style="color: #993300;">וַיְכֻסּוּ</span> כָּל הֶהָרִים הַגְּבֹהִים אֲשֶׁר <span style="color: #993300;">תַּחַת כָּל הַשָּׁמָיִם</span></td> | <td><span style="color: #993300;">וְהַמַּיִם</span> גָּבְרוּ מְאֹד מְאֹד <span style="color: #993300;">עַל הָאָרֶץ</span> <span style="color: #993300;">וַיְכֻסּוּ</span> כָּל הֶהָרִים הַגְּבֹהִים אֲשֶׁר <span style="color: #993300;">תַּחַת כָּל הַשָּׁמָיִם</span></td> | ||
<td><span style="color: #993300;">וַיָּשֻׁבוּ הַמַּיִם מֵעַל הָאָרֶץ</span>... <span style="color: #993300;">נִרְאוּ</span> רָאשֵׁי הֶהָרִים... <span style="color: #993300;">יָבְשָׁה הָאָרֶץ</span></td> | <td><span style="color: #993300;">וַיָּשֻׁבוּ הַמַּיִם מֵעַל הָאָרֶץ</span>... <span style="color: #993300;">נִרְאוּ</span> רָאשֵׁי הֶהָרִים... <span style="color: #993300;">יָבְשָׁה הָאָרֶץ</span></td> | ||
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<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>צמחים</b></td> | <td><b>צמחים</b></td> | ||
− | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר | + | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר אֱ-לֹהִים תַּדְשֵׁא הָאָרֶץ דֶּשֶׁא עֵשֶׂב מַזְרִיעַ זֶרַע <span style="color: #339966;">עֵץ פְּרִי עֹשֶׂה פְּרִי</span></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
<td>וְהִנֵּה <span style="color: #339966;">עֲלֵה זַיִת</span> טָרָף בְּפִיהָ</td> | <td>וְהִנֵּה <span style="color: #339966;">עֲלֵה זַיִת</span> טָרָף בְּפִיהָ</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>מאורות ועונות השנה</b></td> | <td><b>מאורות ועונות השנה</b></td> | ||
− | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר | + | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר אֱ-לֹהִים יְהִי מְאֹרֹת בִּרְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמַיִם לְהַבְדִּיל בֵּין <span style="color: #ff6600;">הַיּוֹם</span> וּבֵין <span style="color: #ff6600;">הַלָּיְלָה</span> וְהָיוּ לְאֹתֹת וּלְמוֹעֲדִים וּלְיָמִים <span style="color: #ff6600;">וְשָׁנִים</span></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
<td>עֹד כָּל יְמֵי הָאָרֶץ זֶרַע וְקָצִיר וְקֹר וָחֹם <span style="color: #ff6600;">וְקַיִץ וָחֹרֶף וְיוֹם וָלַיְלָה</span> לֹא יִשְׁבֹּתוּ</td> | <td>עֹד כָּל יְמֵי הָאָרֶץ זֶרַע וְקָצִיר וְקֹר וָחֹם <span style="color: #ff6600;">וְקַיִץ וָחֹרֶף וְיוֹם וָלַיְלָה</span> לֹא יִשְׁבֹּתוּ</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b> עוף, בהמה, וחיה</b></td> | <td><b> עוף, בהמה, וחיה</b></td> | ||
− | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר | + | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר אֱ-לֹהִים ... <span style="color: #ff00ff;">וְעוֹף </span>יְעוֹפֵף עַל הָאָרֶץ עַל פְּנֵי רְקִיעַ הַשָּׁמָיִם... <br/>וַיַּעַשׂ אֱ-לֹהִים אֶת <span style="color: #ff00ff;">חַיַּת הָאָרֶץ</span> לְמִינָהּ וְאֶת <span style="color: #ff00ff;">הַבְּהֵמָה</span> לְמִינָהּ וְאֵת כָּל <span style="color: #ff00ff;">רֶמֶשׂ הָאֲדָמָה</span> לְמִינֵהוּ</td> |
<td>וַיִּגְוַע כָּל בָּשָׂר <span style="color: #ff00ff;">הָרֹמֵשׂ עַל הָאָרֶץ</span> <span style="color: #ff00ff;">בָּעוֹף וּבַבְּהֵמָה וּבַחַיָּה</span> וּבְכָל הַשֶּׁרֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵץ עַל הָאָרֶץ</td> | <td>וַיִּגְוַע כָּל בָּשָׂר <span style="color: #ff00ff;">הָרֹמֵשׂ עַל הָאָרֶץ</span> <span style="color: #ff00ff;">בָּעוֹף וּבַבְּהֵמָה וּבַחַיָּה</span> וּבְכָל הַשֶּׁרֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵץ עַל הָאָרֶץ</td> | ||
<td>כָּל <span style="color: #ff00ff;">הַחַיָּה</span> אֲשֶׁר אִתְּךָ מִכָּל בָּשָׂר <span style="color: #ff00ff;">בָּעוֹף וּבַבְּהֵמָה</span> וּבְכָל <span style="color: #ff00ff;">הָרֶמֶשׂ הָרֹמֵשׂ עַל הָאָרֶץ</span> הַ[יְ]צֵא אִתָּךְ</td> | <td>כָּל <span style="color: #ff00ff;">הַחַיָּה</span> אֲשֶׁר אִתְּךָ מִכָּל בָּשָׂר <span style="color: #ff00ff;">בָּעוֹף וּבַבְּהֵמָה</span> וּבְכָל <span style="color: #ff00ff;">הָרֶמֶשׂ הָרֹמֵשׂ עַל הָאָרֶץ</span> הַ[יְ]צֵא אִתָּךְ</td> | ||
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<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>אדם</b></td> | <td><b>אדם</b></td> | ||
− | <td><span style="color: #ff0000;">וַיִּבְרָא</span> | + | <td><span style="color: #ff0000;">וַיִּבְרָא</span> אֱ-לֹהִים <span style="color: #ff0000;">אֶת הָאָדָם</span> בְּצַלְמוֹ בְּצֶלֶם אֱ-לֹהִים בָּרָא אֹתוֹ <span style="color: #ff0000;">זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה</span> בָּרָא אֹתָם</td> |
<td>אֶמְחֶה <span style="color: #ff0000;">אֶת הָאָדָם אֲשֶׁר בָּרָאתִי</span> מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה</td> | <td>אֶמְחֶה <span style="color: #ff0000;">אֶת הָאָדָם אֲשֶׁר בָּרָאתִי</span> מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה</td> | ||
<td>וַיֵּצֵא <span style="color: #ff0000;">נֹחַ וּבָנָיו וְאִשְׁתּוֹ וּנְשֵׁי בָנָיו</span></td> | <td>וַיֵּצֵא <span style="color: #ff0000;">נֹחַ וּבָנָיו וְאִשְׁתּוֹ וּנְשֵׁי בָנָיו</span></td> | ||
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<td>וַיִּפַּח <span style="color: #ff9900;">בְּאַפָּיו נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים </span>וַיְהִי הָאָדָם לְנֶפֶשׁ <span style="color: #ff9900;">חַיָּה</span></td> | <td>וַיִּפַּח <span style="color: #ff9900;">בְּאַפָּיו נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים </span>וַיְהִי הָאָדָם לְנֶפֶשׁ <span style="color: #ff9900;">חַיָּה</span></td> | ||
<td>כֹּל אֲשֶׁר <span style="color: #ff9900;">נִשְׁמַת רוּחַ חַיִּים בְּאַפָּיו</span>... <span style="color: #ff9900;">מֵתוּ</span></td> | <td>כֹּל אֲשֶׁר <span style="color: #ff9900;">נִשְׁמַת רוּחַ חַיִּים בְּאַפָּיו</span>... <span style="color: #ff9900;">מֵתוּ</span></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>ברכה לעופות וברכה לאדם</b></td> | <td><b>ברכה לעופות וברכה לאדם</b></td> | ||
− | <td>וַיְבָרֶךְ אֹתָם | + | <td>וַיְבָרֶךְ אֹתָם אֱ-לֹהִים לֵאמֹר <span style="color: #0000ff;">פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ</span>... וְהָעוֹף <span style="color: #0000ff;">יִרֶב בָּאָרֶץ</span>... <br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">וַיְבָרֶךְ </span>אֹתָם<span style="color: #0000ff;"> אֱ-לֹהִים וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם אֱ-לֹהִים פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ וּמִלְאוּ אֶת הָאָרֶץ</span> וְכִבְשֻׁהָ <span style="color: #0000ff;">וּרְדוּ בִּדְגַת הַיָּם וּבְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וּבְכָל חַיָּה הָרֹמֶשֶׂת עַל הָאָרֶץ</span></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td>וְשָׁרְצוּ בָאָרֶץ <span style="color: #0000ff;">וּפָרוּ וְרָבוּ עַל הָאָרֶץ</span>... <br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">וַיְבָרֶךְ | + | <td>וְשָׁרְצוּ בָאָרֶץ <span style="color: #0000ff;">וּפָרוּ וְרָבוּ עַל הָאָרֶץ</span>... <br/><span style="color: #0000ff;">וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱ-לֹהִים </span>אֶת נֹחַ וְאֶת בָּנָיו<span style="color: #0000ff;"> וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ וּמִלְאוּ אֶת הָאָרֶץ. </span>וּמוֹרַאֲכֶם וְחִתְּכֶם יִהְיֶה<span style="color: #0000ff;"> עַל כָּל חַיַּת הָאָרֶץ וְעַל כָּל עוֹף הַשָּׁמָיִם בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר תִּרְמֹשׂ הָאֲדָמָה</span> <span style="color: #0000ff;">וּבְכָל דְּגֵי הַיָּם בְּיֶדְכֶם נִתָּנוּ</span></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>מאכל האדם</b></td> | <td><b>מאכל האדם</b></td> | ||
− | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר | + | <td>וַיֹּאמֶר אֱ-לֹהִים הִנֵּה נָתַתִּי לָכֶם אֶת <span style="color: #99cc00;">כָּל עֵשֶׂב</span> זֹרֵעַ זֶרַע אֲשֶׁר עַל פְּנֵי כָל הָאָרֶץ וְאֶת כָּל הָעֵץ אֲשֶׁר בּוֹ פְרִי עֵץ זֹרֵעַ זָרַע <span style="color: #99cc00;">לָכֶם יִהְיֶה לְאָכְלָה</span></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
<td>כָּל רֶמֶשׂ אֲשֶׁר הוּא חַי <span style="color: #99cc00;">לָכֶם יִהְיֶה לְאָכְלָה כְּיֶרֶק עֵשֶׂב</span> נָתַתִּי לָכֶם אֶת <span style="color: #99cc00;">כֹּל</span></td> | <td>כָּל רֶמֶשׂ אֲשֶׁר הוּא חַי <span style="color: #99cc00;">לָכֶם יִהְיֶה לְאָכְלָה כְּיֶרֶק עֵשֶׂב</span> נָתַתִּי לָכֶם אֶת <span style="color: #99cc00;">כֹּל</span></td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
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<td><b>הגבלת האכילה</b></td> | <td><b>הגבלת האכילה</b></td> | ||
<td>וּמֵעֵץ הַדַּעַת טוֹב וָרָע <span style="color: #ff0000;">לֹא תֹאכַל</span> מִמֶּנּוּ</td> | <td>וּמֵעֵץ הַדַּעַת טוֹב וָרָע <span style="color: #ff0000;">לֹא תֹאכַל</span> מִמֶּנּוּ</td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
<td>אַךְ בָּשָׂר בְּנַפְשׁוֹ דָמוֹ <span style="color: #ff0000;">לֹא תֹאכֵלוּ</span></td> | <td>אַךְ בָּשָׂר בְּנַפְשׁוֹ דָמוֹ <span style="color: #ff0000;">לֹא תֹאכֵלוּ</span></td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>עבודת האדמה</b></td> | <td><b>עבודת האדמה</b></td> | ||
− | <td><span style="color: #800080;">וַיִּטַּע</span> ה' | + | <td><span style="color: #800080;">וַיִּטַּע</span> ה' אֱ-לֹהִים <span style="color: #800080;">גַּן</span> בְּעֵדֶן... וַיְשַׁלְּחֵהוּ ה' אֱ-לֹהִים מִגַּן עֵדֶן <span style="color: #800080;">לַעֲבֹד אֶת הָאֲדָמָה</span> אֲשֶׁר לֻקַּח מִשָּׁם</td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
<td>וַיָּחֶל נֹחַ <span style="color: #800080;">אִישׁ הָאֲדָמָה וַיִּטַּע</span> <span style="color: #800080;">כָּרֶם</span></td> | <td>וַיָּחֶל נֹחַ <span style="color: #800080;">אִישׁ הָאֲדָמָה וַיִּטַּע</span> <span style="color: #800080;">כָּרֶם</span></td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>מסקנת ה'</b></td> | <td><b>מסקנת ה'</b></td> | ||
− | <td><span style="color: #00ffff;">וַיַּרְא</span> | + | <td><span style="color: #00ffff;">וַיַּרְא</span> אֱ-לֹהִים אֶת כָּל אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה וְהִנֵּה <span style="color: #00ffff;">טוֹב</span> מְאֹד</td> |
<td><span style="color: #00ffff;">וַיַּרְא</span> ה' כִּי רַבָּה <span style="color: #00ffff;">רָעַת</span> הָאָדָם בָּאָרֶץ וְכָל יֵצֶר מַחְשְׁבֹת לִבּוֹ רַק <span style="color: #00ffff;">רַע</span> כָּל הַיּוֹם</td> | <td><span style="color: #00ffff;">וַיַּרְא</span> ה' כִּי רַבָּה <span style="color: #00ffff;">רָעַת</span> הָאָדָם בָּאָרֶץ וְכָל יֵצֶר מַחְשְׁבֹת לִבּוֹ רַק <span style="color: #00ffff;">רַע</span> כָּל הַיּוֹם</td> | ||
<td>וַיָּרַח ה'... וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֶל לִבּוֹ לֹא אֹסִף לְקַלֵּל עוֹד אֶת הָאֲדָמָה בַּעֲבוּר הָאָדָם כִּי יֵצֶר לֵב הָאָדָם <span style="color: #00ffff;">רַע</span> מִנְּעֻרָיו</td> | <td>וַיָּרַח ה'... וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֶל לִבּוֹ לֹא אֹסִף לְקַלֵּל עוֹד אֶת הָאֲדָמָה בַּעֲבוּר הָאָדָם כִּי יֵצֶר לֵב הָאָדָם <span style="color: #00ffff;">רַע</span> מִנְּעֻרָיו</td> | ||
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<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Heavens / Earth</b></td> | <td><b>Heavens / Earth</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Land / Sea<br/></b></td> | <td><b>Land / Sea<br/></b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Vegetation</b></td> | <td><b>Vegetation</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Luminaries / Seasons</b></td> | <td><b>Luminaries / Seasons</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Birds / Animals</b></td> | <td><b>Birds / Animals</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Humans</b></td> | <td><b>Humans</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Breath of Life</b></td> | <td><b>Breath of Life</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Blessing of Birds / Blessing of Man</b></td> | <td><b>Blessing of Birds / Blessing of Man</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Food</b></td> | <td><b>Food</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Restrictions</b></td> | <td><b>Restrictions</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Working the Land</b></td> | <td><b>Working the Land</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
<td><b>Hashem's Conclusion</b></td> | <td><b>Hashem's Conclusion</b></td> | ||
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
− | <td | + | <td></td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
Latest revision as of 08:01, 30 July 2019
The Flood Story: Undoing and Redoing Creation
Introduction
Commentators as early as Philo have noted many similarities between the Flood narrative of Bereshit 6-9 and the description of Creation in Bereshit 1-2.1 While a first group of inverted parallels highlights how the Flood reversed the process of creation, a second set of direct correspondences demonstrates how the re-establishment of the world after the Deluge mirrored the original creation.2
Undoing of Creation
At the end of Parashat Bereshit (6:6-7), Hashem expresses explicit remorse over having creating man ("וַיִּנָּחֶם ה' כִּי עָשָׂה אֶת הָאָדָם", "כִּי נִחַמְתִּי כִּי עֲשִׂיתִם"), and decides to reverse His actions by wiping out humanity ("אֶמְחֶה אֶת הָאָדָם אֲשֶׁר בָּרָאתִי"). Further similarities between Parashat Noach's description of the world's destruction and the original Creation story are in content more than language. However, they too serve to underscore the obvious, that the Deluge undid much of what the original creation had achieved.
- Separated waters re-mingle – Hashem's original separation between the waters on high and below is undone, as both the heavens and the depths release the flood waters.
- Land re-submerges – In Parashat Bereshit, the ingathering of the waters allows for the land to emerge, while in Parashat Noach, water floods back over the dry ground.
- All die – Bereshit 1 describes the creation of bird, animal, beast, and human, while the account in Parashat Noach tells of their deaths.
- Breath of life extinguished – Whereas Bereshit 2 emphasizes Hashem's breathing life into His handiwork, Bereshit 7 highlights the extinguishing of that breath.3
Re-creation
The description of the re-emergence of life, in the second half of the Flood narrative, similarly draws the reader back to the original creation story. Here, the numerous parallels are direct and highlight how Hashem renewed the world, giving mankind a fresh start. The similarities between the two accounts include:
- State of the world pre-creation – In both cases, before life is created, water filled the earth and a wind or spirit hovered or passed over it.
- Dates – Bereshit 8:13 records that the flood waters dried up on the first day of the first month, the very same day on which the world was created.4
- The elements and order of creation – Both stories contain explicit mention of the separation of higher and lower waters, the appearance of land and vegetation, markers of time, and the emergence of birds, animals, and man.5
- Blessings – Both accounts detail Hashem's blessing of abundant procreation to both birds6 and humans as well as the promise that mankind will have dominion over the animals.
- Command to eat – In Bereshit 1, Hashem allows man to eat from all vegetation, while in Bereshit 9, He adds that they can also eat from living creatures.7
- Restrictions – Hashem bans certain foods in both stories. In Bereshit 2, the fruit of the tree of knowledge is prohibited, while in Bereshit 9, Hashem warns against eating the blood of animals.
- Occupation of man – The first human is named "אָדָם" and is commanded to work the land. Noach is similarly referred to as "אִישׁ הָאֲדָמָה", and soon after the flood subsides, he plants a vineyard.
Analysis of Parallels
To determine whether these parallels are intentional allusions or simply coincidental similarities, one must consider the number and concentration of the parallels, the degree of their linguistic similarity, and the relative uniqueness of the shared phrases or concepts.8 In this case, there are a significant number of conceptual parallels between the two narratives, but the extent of the linguistic overlap and the rarity of the choice of terms must be examined more closely:
- Wind over water – The concept of wind/spirit passing over water appears only in the stories of the Creation, the Flood, and the splitting of Yam Suf. In addition, the phrase "עַל פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם" appears, besides in these two stories,9 only in Shemot 32:20 and Kohelet 11:1.
- Mingling or separation of waters – Although there is no linguistic similarity between the descriptions of the mingling/separation between the higher and lower waters, it is only in these two stories that such a concept appears.10 Additionally, the word "תְּהוֹם" appears in both stories,11 accounting for three of its five appearances in Torah.12
- Elements of Creation – The words used in the two accounts do not overlap significantly, and most of them are not unique to these stories.
- Heavens and earth – The "יַבָּשָׁה" of Bereshit 1 is alternately referred to in Bereshit 6-9 as "אֲדָמָה" or "אָרֶץ".13 This, though, might be expected, as the text states that after its appearance Hashem called the dry land "אֶרֶץ".14 Similarly the word "רָקִיעַ" is replaced by "שָׁמָיִם", its new name.
- Vegetation – There is merely an allusion to the renewed vegetation in the mention of the olive branch, with no direct connection to the plant list of Bereshit: "דֶּשֶׁא עֵשֶׂב מַזְרִיעַ זֶרַע עֵץ פְּרִי".
- Animals – The combined mention of birds, animals, beasts, and swarming creatures is not unique to these stories.15
- "לְמִינוֹ" / "לְמִינֵהוּ" – In contrast to the above, this term is somewhat unique, appearing only by the names of the plant and animal species created in Bereshit, the list of animals entering the ark, and the list of prohibited foods in Vayikra 11 and Devarim 14.
- Blessings – The language of the two blessings is almost identical. Moreover the phrase "פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ" appears in only these two sets of chapters as well as Yirmeyahu 23:3 and Yechezkel 36:11.16
- "נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים" – This phrase appears only by the creation of man in Bereshit 1 and by the world's destruction in Bereshit 7.
Contrasts
In addition to the many similarities between the stories, there are several points of divergence:
- Active / passive intervention – In the Creation story of Bereshit 1, Hashem plays an active role in every step of creation, commanding on each day that another aspect of the world be engendered. In the Flood story, in contrast, although Hashem remembers Noach and begins the process by sending a wind over the waters, everything afterwards seems to evolve through natural processes.
- Duration of creation – Bereshit 1 gives the impression that Hashem originally made the world in a mere seven days,17 with each new form of life generated instantaneously upon command. In contrast, the re-creation of the world takes many months, with the waters receding gradually rather than immediately.18
- Absence of fish – All of the created beings mentioned in Bereshit 1 appear in the Flood narrative with the exception of fish and other water creatures. Does the absence of fish here suggest that they had not been destroyed in the Flood (and thus, there was no need to replenish their populations)?19
- Evaluation of Creation – In Bereshit 1, after each day of Creation Hashem observes that his handiwork "was good". In Bereshit 6, on the other hand, Hashem's realization that "רַבָּה רָעַת הָאָדָם" leads Him to bring the Flood. Even after the Flood, Hashem still concludes that "יֵצֶר לֵב הָאָדָם רַע מִנְּעֻרָיו", this time leading to the promise never again to destroy the world.
- Creation of man – In the original Creation story, man is created last, as Hashem's grand finale. After the Flood, in contrast, man emerges into the new world before the animals. Does the difference in order hint to some change in the status of man, or is the change insignificant, relating, instead to practical considerations?
- Food permitted – After the Deluge, man is allowed to eat from living creatures,20 while originally only vegetation had been allowed. What led to this change? For elaboration, see Permission to Eat Meat.
Conclusion
On the most basic level, the many similarities between the accounts show that the Flood and its aftermath were both an undoing and redoing of creation. Although man sinned grievously, Hashem does not give up on him, but rather gives the world a fresh start, creating it anew and returning it to its innocent beginnings.21 The new world though is not created in exactly the same manner as the first, and Hashem's view of and relationship to man changes. The miraculous nature of the original construction is replaced by a much more natural development, and Hashem is more distant.