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Genesis 8:5 - Mountains emerge, hope returns.

Genesis 8:5 - בראשית 8:5

Hebrew Text

וְהַמַּיִם הָיוּ הָלוֹךְ וְחָסוֹר עַד הַחֹדֶשׁ הָעֲשִׂירִי בָּעֲשִׂירִי בְּאֶחָד לַחֹדֶשׁ נִרְאוּ רָאשֵׁי הֶהָרִים׃

English Translation

And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.

Transliteration

Vehamayim hayu haloch vechasor ad hachodesh ha'asiri ba'asiri be'echad lachodesh nir'u rashei heharim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהַמַּ֗יִם הָיוּ֙ הָל֣וֹךְ וְחָס֔וֹר עַ֖ד הַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָֽעֲשִׂירִ֑י בָּֽעֲשִׂירִי֙ בְּאֶחָ֣ד לַחֹ֔דֶשׁ נִרְא֖וּ רָאשֵׁ֥י הֶֽהָרִֽים׃
וְהַמַּ֗יִם הָיוּ֙ הָל֣וֹךְ וְחָס֔וֹר עַ֖ד הַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָֽעֲשִׂירִ֑י בָּֽעֲשִׂירִי֙ בְּאֶחָ֣ד לַחֹ֔דֶשׁ נִרְא֖וּ רָאשֵׁ֥י הֶֽהָרִֽים׃

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Parasha Commentary

Verse Context

This verse (Bereshit 8:5) describes the gradual receding of the floodwaters after the Mabul (Great Flood) during the time of Noach. The Torah details the timeline of the waters' retreat, marking significant milestones in the process.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "הָלוֹךְ וְחָסוֹר" ("decreased continually") indicates a steady, progressive diminishment of the waters. He notes that the waters did not recede all at once but rather in stages, allowing the earth to dry properly. Rashi also highlights the precision of the date—the first day of the tenth month—emphasizing that the tops of the mountains became visible exactly 150 days after the flood began (as calculated from Bereshit 7:11).

Chronology and Significance

  • Tenth Month: The Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 11b) identifies the tenth month as Tevet, marking a turning point in the flood narrative. The visibility of mountain tops signaled hope and the beginning of a new era.
  • Divine Precision: The Ramban (Nachmanides) observes that the Torah's meticulous timeline underscores Hashem's exacting justice and mercy—the flood lasted precisely as long as necessary, no more and no less.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 33:7) elaborates that the mountains' reappearance symbolized the earth's purification and readiness for renewal. Just as the waters receded in stages, so too does teshuvah (repentance) occur gradually, reflecting the process of spiritual renewal.

Practical Lessons

  • Patience in Redemption: The gradual recession teaches that salvation and recovery often unfold slowly, requiring faith and perseverance (based on teachings of the Sfat Emet).
  • Divine Timing: The specificity of the date reinforces the idea that Hashem's plans follow a deliberate, measured timeline (Malbim).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 8:5 mean when it says the waters decreased continually?
A: Rashi explains that the floodwaters didn't recede all at once, but gradually over time. This shows Hashem's mercy in ensuring the earth would be properly dried and ready for Noach and the animals to leave the ark.
Q: Why is it significant that mountain tops became visible on the 1st of the 10th month?
A: The Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 11b) teaches that this date corresponds to the 1st of Tevet. The visibility of mountain tops marked an important milestone in the flood's end, showing land was reemerging after 150 days of complete water coverage (Genesis 7:24).
Q: What lesson can we learn from how the floodwaters receded?
A: The gradual decrease teaches us about divine patience and proper timing. Just as the waters didn't vanish instantly, meaningful change in our lives often happens progressively. The Midrash Tanchuma (Noach 9) compares this to how Hashem brings redemption gradually.