share torah logo

Genesis 8:1 - Divine mercy ends flood.

Genesis 8:1 - בראשית 8:1

Hebrew Text

וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹהִים אֶת־נֹחַ וְאֵת כָּל־הַחַיָּה וְאֶת־כָּל־הַבְּהֵמָה אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ בַּתֵּבָה וַיַּעֲבֵר אֱלֹהִים רוּחַ עַל־הָאָרֶץ וַיָּשֹׁכּוּ הַמָּיִם׃

English Translation

And God remembered Noaĥ, and every living thing, and all the cattle that were with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters were assuaged;

Transliteration

Vayizkor Elohim et-Noach ve'et kol-hachayah ve'et kol-habehemah asher ito batevah vaya'avor Elohim ruach al-ha'aretz vayashoku hamayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־נֹ֔חַ וְאֵ֤ת כׇּל־הַֽחַיָּה֙ וְאֶת־כׇּל־הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתּ֖וֹ בַּתֵּבָ֑ה וַיַּעֲבֵ֨ר אֱלֹהִ֥ים ר֙וּחַ֙ עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וַיָּשֹׁ֖כּוּ הַמָּֽיִם׃
וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־נֹ֔חַ וְאֵ֤ת כׇּל־הַֽחַיָּה֙ וְאֶת־כׇּל־הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתּ֖וֹ בַּתֵּבָ֑ה וַיַּעֲבֵ֨ר אֱלֹהִ֥ים ר֙וּחַ֙ עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וַיָּשֹׁ֖כּוּ הַמָּֽיִם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Divine Remembrance and Intervention

The phrase "וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹהִים אֶת־נֹחַ" ("And God remembered Noah") does not imply that God had forgotten Noah, as the concept of forgetfulness does not apply to the Divine. Rather, as Rashi explains, this "remembrance" signifies that God turned His attention to Noah to bring about his salvation (Rashi on Bereishit 8:1). The Midrash Tanchuma (Noach 12) elaborates that this moment marks the beginning of divine mercy after the decree of the flood had been fulfilled.

Inclusion of All Creatures

The verse emphasizes that God remembered not only Noah but also "every living thing and all the cattle" in the ark. The Ramban (Nachmanides) notes that this demonstrates God's compassion extends to all creatures, not just humans (Ramban on Bereishit 8:1). The Talmud (Sanhedrin 108a) teaches that the preservation of the animals underscored the principle of tza'ar ba'alei chayim (avoiding unnecessary suffering to animals), as God ensured their survival alongside Noah.

The Role of the Wind

The phrase "וַיַּעֲבֵר אֱלֹהִים רוּחַ עַל־הָאָרֶץ" ("God made a wind to pass over the earth") is interpreted by the Sforno as a natural mechanism through which God began the process of drying the earth (Sforno on Bereishit 8:1). The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 33:7) compares this wind to the "wind of God" that hovered over the waters during Creation (Bereishit 1:2), suggesting a parallel between the renewal of the world after the flood and its initial creation.

The Subsiding of the Waters

The conclusion of the verse, "וַיָּשֹׁכּוּ הַמָּיִם" ("and the waters were assuaged"), is understood by the Malbim as a gradual process where the waters receded in an orderly manner, reflecting divine wisdom in restoring the earth (Malbim on Bereishit 8:1). The Zohar (1:69a) connects this to the idea of divine judgment being tempered with mercy, as the floodwaters—symbolizing strict justice—were now subdued to allow for renewal.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Rosh Hashanah 11b
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the timing of the flood and God's remembrance of Noah, illustrating divine providence and the cessation of the floodwaters.
📖 Zevachim 115b
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the sacrifices offered by Noah after exiting the ark, connecting God's remembrance of Noah to the subsequent offerings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean that 'God remembered Noah' in Genesis 8:1?
A: The phrase 'God remembered Noah' does not mean that God forgot about him. Rather, as Rashi explains, it signifies that God turned His attention to bring salvation and relief to Noah after the flood. This language of 'remembering' is used in the Torah to indicate divine intervention at the right moment (similar to when God 'remembered' Sarah in Genesis 21:1).
Q: Why does Genesis 8:1 mention God remembering the animals along with Noah?
A: The verse emphasizes that God's compassion extends to all living creatures, not just humans. The Midrash teaches that this shows God's mercy even toward animals, as they too are part of His creation. Additionally, the Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 3:1) derives from this the ethical principle of avoiding unnecessary animal suffering (tza'ar ba'alei chayim).
Q: What is the significance of the wind that God sent in Genesis 8:1?
A: Rashi explains that this 'wind' (ruach) was a divinely directed wind that began the process of drying the earth after the flood. The Talmud (Berachot 59a) teaches that winds are among the phenomena controlled directly by God for specific purposes. Here, it marked the beginning of the world's renewal after the flood's destruction.
Q: How long did Noah wait in the ark before God 'remembered' him in Genesis 8:1?
A: According to the Seder Olam (a traditional chronology) and Rashi's commentary, Noah had been in the ark for about five months when this verse occurs. The flood waters had peaked at 150 days (Genesis 7:24), and now the process of receding begins. This teaches patience and trust in God's timing.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 8:1 about divine providence?
A: This verse teaches that God is intimately involved in the world and cares for all His creations. The Malbim explains that just as God remembered Noah at the right moment, we must trust that God oversees everything with precise timing. This concept is called hashgacha pratit (divine providence) in Jewish thought.