Genesis 9:24 - Noah's shameful awakening revealed.

Understanding the Verse in Context

The verse (Bereshit 9:24) describes Noaḥ awakening from his wine and realizing what his youngest son, Ḥam, had done to him. This follows the incident where Ḥam saw his father's nakedness and told his brothers, Shem and Yefet, who then covered Noaḥ with a garment (Bereshit 9:20-23). The Torah does not explicitly state what Ḥam did, leading to various interpretations among the commentators.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Bereshit 9:24) cites the Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 36:7) which explains that Ḥam either castrated Noaḥ or engaged in an act of sexual impropriety. The Midrash derives this from the phrase "אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂה־לוֹ" ("what he had done to him"), implying a severe violation. Rashi further notes that Ḥam prevented Noaḥ from having a fourth son, which is why Noaḥ later cursed Ḥam's son, Canaan (Bereshit 9:25), as retribution for this act.

Ramban's Perspective

Ramban (Bereshit 9:22) offers a different interpretation, suggesting that Ḥam's sin was not physical harm but a lack of respect for his father. By seeing Noaḥ's nakedness and publicizing it rather than covering him, Ḥam displayed contempt for his father's dignity. Ramban emphasizes that Ḥam's failure to act with reverence was the primary transgression.

Ibn Ezra's View

Ibn Ezra (Bereshit 9:22) takes a more literal approach, stating that Ḥam's sin was simply seeing his father's nakedness and mocking him, rather than covering him as his brothers did. He argues that the Torah does not specify a more severe act, and the curse on Canaan was due to Ḥam's disrespectful behavior.

Midrashic Interpretations

• Bereshit Rabbah 36:7 suggests Ḥam committed a grievous sin, either castration or sexual misconduct, as mentioned by Rashi.
• Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer (23) states that Ḥam's actions led to Noaḥ's curse, which affected Canaan because Ḥam had already received blessings from Hashem (Bereshit 9:1).

Halakhic Implications

The Gemara (Sanhedrin 70a) discusses the severity of disrespecting parents, linking Ḥam's actions to the broader principle of honoring one's father and mother. The incident serves as a warning against dishonoring parents, a foundational mitzvah in Torah.

Lessons from the Verse

• The importance of respecting parents, as demonstrated by the contrast between Ḥam and his brothers, Shem and Yefet.
• The consequences of improper behavior, as seen in Noaḥ's curse on Canaan.
• The need for discretion and modesty, as Ḥam's publicizing of his father's shame led to punishment.