1)

"Noach found favor in the eyes of Hashem." What does this mean, and why?

1.

Ramban: The term 'Chein' implies that everything that Noach did was nice and pleasant (like we find the term 'Chein' in connection with Yosef and Esther), and made Hashem happy. 1

2.

Seforno: Because Noach found favor in the Eyes of Hashem (not because he was worthy), 2 Hashem was going to save, not only him, but also his children. 3

3.

Targum Yonasan: Hashem favored Noach over the other people of his generation, because he was a Tzadik. 4

4.

Sanhedrin, 108a: It implies that the decree of destruction covered No?ach as well, 5 only he founf favor in the Eyes of Hashem.


1

In contrast to the other people of his generation, who made Him sad - Refer to 6:6:1:4 - as the Ramban explains.

2

The Navi cites Noach, Daniel and Iyov as examples of great Tzadikim who did not have merits to save their children (Yechezkel 14: 12-20), because they failed to teach the people of their respective generations how to serve Hashem.

3

One wonders however, why Shem and Yefes (who were both Tzadikim), did not merit salvation in their own rights? Refer to 6:9:2:2*.

4

The Torah is relying on the following Pasuk, where it describes Noach's virtues in more detail (as the Ramban points out).

5

See Torah Temimah, note 1.

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