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Hebrew Text
וַיִּקַּח שֵׁם וָיֶפֶת אֶת־הַשִּׂמְלָה וַיָּשִׂימוּ עַל־שְׁכֶם שְׁנֵיהֶם וַיֵּלְכוּ אֲחֹרַנִּית וַיְכַסּוּ אֵת עֶרְוַת אֲבִיהֶם וּפְנֵיהֶם אֲחֹרַנִּית וְעֶרְוַת אֲבִיהֶם לֹא רָאוּ׃
English Translation
And Shem and Yefet took the garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness.
Transliteration
Vayikach Shem vaYefet et-hasimla vayasimu al-shechem shenehem vayelechu achoranit vayechasu et ervat avihem ufneihem achoranit ve'ervat avihem lo ra'u.
Hebrew Leining Text
וַיִּקַּח֩ שֵׁ֨ם וָיֶ֜פֶת אֶת־הַשִּׂמְלָ֗ה וַיָּשִׂ֙ימוּ֙ עַל־שְׁכֶ֣ם שְׁנֵיהֶ֔ם וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙ אֲחֹ֣רַנִּ֔ית וַיְכַסּ֕וּ אֵ֖ת עֶרְוַ֣ת אֲבִיהֶ֑ם וּפְנֵיהֶם֙ אֲחֹ֣רַנִּ֔ית וְעֶרְוַ֥ת אֲבִיהֶ֖ם לֹ֥א רָאֽוּ׃
Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is quoted in the Talmud.
📖 Sanhedrin 70a
The verse is discussed in the context of Noah's drunkenness and the actions of his sons, Shem and Yefet, highlighting their modesty and contrasting it with the behavior of their brother Ham.
Verse Analysis: Shem and Yefet Cover Noach's Nakedness
The verse (Bereishit 9:23) describes how Shem and Yefet acted with dignity and respect toward their father Noach after he became uncovered in his tent. Their actions are contrasted with Cham's behavior, who saw and publicized his father's nakedness (Bereishit 9:22).
Rashi's Commentary
Rashi explains that Shem and Yefet demonstrated כבוד אב (honor for their father) by walking backward to avoid gazing at his nakedness. He notes that the phrase "וילכו אחורנית" ("and they went backward") emphasizes their deliberate effort to preserve their father's dignity. Rashi also highlights that the Torah specifies "ופניהם אחורנית" ("and their faces were backward") to stress that they did not turn their heads to look at all.
Midrashic Insights
The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 36:5) elaborates that Shem took the lead in this act of respect, which is why his name is mentioned first in the verse. This teaches that honoring parents is a fundamental mitzvah, and Shem's descendants (including Avraham and the Jewish people) were rewarded for this virtue.
Halachic Implications
Rambam (Hilchot Mamrim 6:3) derives from this episode the importance of כיבוד אב ואם (honoring parents) even in difficult circumstances. The Gemara (Kiddushin 31a) further discusses how this act serves as a model for derech eretz (proper conduct) and modesty.
Symbolic Meaning
Moral Lesson
This episode teaches that true honor requires active effort to avoid shaming others, even when they are vulnerable. The Sages (Sanhedrin 70a) connect this to the broader principle of "לא תלך רכיל בעמיך" (not spreading gossip), as Cham's sin was not merely seeing, but publicizing his father's state.