* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha with Rashi Parshas Noach For the week ending 3 Cheshvan 5755, 7 & 8 October 1994 ========================================================================= This issue is dedicated in the memory of Mr. Bernard Harris O.B.M. 17 Elul 5754 ========================================================================= Parsha Questions 1. What are the "offspring" of a righteous person? 2. How did Man corrupt the Earth? 3. What sin sealed the fate of the Generation of the Flood? 4. Why did Hashem postpone bringing the Flood for seven days? 5. Why did the first water of the Flood come down as light rain? 6. How did Hashem protect the Ark from those who wanted to destroy it? 7. How high did the waters of the Flood rise? 8. What grouping of animals escaped the punishment of the Flood? 9. How long did the punishment of the Flood last? 10. A solar year is how many days longer than a lunar year? 11. When does a person first receive the inclination to do evil? 12. How many seasons are mentioned in the Torah? 13. Adam was commanded to be a vegetarian. When did man receive permission to eat meat? 14. What prohibition was given along with the permission to eat meat? 15. Why does the command to "be fruitful and multiply" follow directly after the prohibition of murder? 16. What does the rainbow symbolize? 17. Which nation was descended from Tiras the son of Yefes? 18. Why does the Torah call Nimrod a mighty hunter? 19. Who does the Torah cite as refusing to listen to Nimrod? 20. Why was Sarah also called "Yiscah"? Bonus QUESTION: Rashi (7:23) states that Noach was once late in feeding the animals in the ark, and a lion struck him. Why did a lion, and not another animal, punish Noach? I Did Not Know That! In addition to Noach and his family there was one other person in the ark -- Og, the giant. Ba'al HaTurim ========================================================================= Answers to this Week's Questions All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated 1. 6:9 - Good deeds. 2. 6:1 - Through promiscuity and idolatry. 3. 6:13 - Robbery. 4. 7:4 - To allow seven days to mourn the death of Mesushelach. 5. 7:12 - To give the generation a chance to repent. 6. 7:16 - Hashem surrounded the Ark with bears and lions so that it wasn't accessible. 7. 7:20 - Fifteen amos above the mountain tops. 8. 7:22 - The fish. 9. 8:14 - A full solar year. 10. 8:14 - Eleven days. 11. 8:21 - When one is merely an embryo. 12. 8:22 - Six. 13. 9:3 - After the Flood. 14. 9:4 - The prohibition of eating a limb cut from a living animal. 15. 9:7 - To equate one who abstains from having children to one who commits murder. 16. 9:9,13 - That the world will not be destroyed again. 17. 10:2 - Persia. 18. 10:9 - He used words to ensnare the minds of people, convincing them to rebel against Hashem. 19. 10:11 - Ashur, the son of Shem. 20. 11:29 - The word "Yiscah" is related to the Hebrew word "to see". Sarah was called Yiscah because she could "see" the future via prophecy. Also, because of her beauty, everyone would gaze at her. Bonus ANSWER: Hashem's regard for the righteous is such that even when punishing them He does so only in the most dignified manner. Noach was a righteous man, but in one instance he was lax in his responsibility in feeding the animals and thus needed castigation. Hashem used a lion as His agent since it is the most dignified of beasts. Gur Aryeh ========================================================================= Yachad -Together The Ohr Somayach Electronic Alumni Newsletter. Keep up with the latest happenings at Ohr Somayach, Jerusalem. 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