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Genesis 7:5 - Obedience in divine instruction

Genesis 7:5 - בראשית 7:5

Hebrew Text

וַיַּעַשׂ נֹחַ כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּהוּ יְהוָה׃

English Translation

And Noaĥ did according to all that the Lord commanded him.

Transliteration

Va'ya'as Noach ke'chol asher-tzivahu Adonai.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיַּ֖עַשׂ נֹ֑חַ כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֖הוּ יְהֹוָֽה׃
וַיַּ֖עַשׂ נֹ֑חַ כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֖הוּ יְהֹוָֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Noach's Complete Obedience to Hashem's Command

The verse states, "וַיַּעַשׂ נֹחַ כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּהוּ יְהוָה" ("And Noach did according to all that the Lord commanded him"), emphasizing Noach's unwavering compliance with divine instruction. Rashi (Bereishit 6:22) highlights that this phrase appears twice in the narrative (here and in Bereishit 7:5) to underscore Noach's meticulous fulfillment of Hashem's will—both in building the ark and in entering it.

The Significance of "כְּכֹל" ("According to All")

The term "כְּכֹל" indicates that Noach carried out every detail of the command without deviation. The Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 1:7) teaches that complete adherence to mitzvot reflects true emunah (faith). Noach's actions serve as a model of this principle, as he followed Hashem's instructions precisely, even when they seemed illogical (e.g., building an ark despite no prior experience of rain).

Contrast with Avraham's Later Leadership

Midrash Tanchuma (Noach 5) contrasts Noach's passive obedience with Avraham's proactive righteousness. While Noach fulfilled commands flawlessly, Avraham sought opportunities to serve Hashem beyond explicit directives (e.g., welcoming guests without being commanded). This distinction is why Noach is called "righteous in his generation" (Bereishit 6:9), whereas Avraham is termed "lover of Hashem" (Yeshayahu 41:8).

Lessons in Emunah and Action

  • Precision in Mitzvot: Noach teaches that divine commandments require exact fulfillment, as later codified in halachah (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 1:1).
  • Trust in Hashem: His obedience despite societal ridicule (Sanhedrin 108a) exemplifies unwavering trust in divine wisdom.
  • Limits of Compliance: The Midrash hints that while Noach's righteousness saved him, greater leaders like Moshe or Avraham might have interceded for their generation (Bereishit Rabbah 30:7).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 108a
The verse is cited in the context of discussing Noah's righteousness and his obedience to God's commandments during the time of the flood.
📖 Zevachim 116a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the sacrifices Noah offered after leaving the ark, highlighting his adherence to divine command.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 7:5 mean when it says Noah did 'all that the Lord commanded him'?
A: This verse teaches that Noah meticulously followed every instruction given by Hashem regarding the building of the ark and gathering the animals. Rashi explains that this emphasizes Noah's complete obedience, even in details that might have seemed unnecessary or difficult.
Q: Why is Noah's obedience in Genesis 7:5 important?
A: Noah's complete obedience serves as a model of faithfulness to Hashem's commandments. The Midrash teaches that Noah's careful fulfillment of every detail demonstrated his righteousness and trust in Hashem, which is why he merited to be saved from the flood.
Q: What can we learn from Noah's actions in Genesis 7:5?
A: We learn the importance of fulfilling mitzvot (commandments) with precision and without compromise. The Rambam teaches that this verse shows we should perform Hashem's will completely, not selectively, just as Noah did with every aspect of building the ark.
Q: How does Genesis 7:5 apply to our lives today?
A: Just as Noah followed all of Hashem's instructions exactly, we too should strive to observe mitzvot carefully and completely. The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 3a) derives from this that we must be scrupulous in both 'major' and 'minor' commandments, as Noah was.
Q: Why does the Torah emphasize that Noah did 'all' that Hashem commanded?
A: The word 'all' teaches that Noah didn't omit or modify any part of Hashem's command. The Sforno explains that this complete compliance was especially significant because Noah fulfilled these unusual commands (building an ark) despite never having seen rain before (as the Midrash states the flood was the first rain on earth).