Weekly Torah portion
Parascha Noach נח
Genesis (Bereschit) · Genesis 6:9-11:32
„Rest / Comfort"
Summary
The world falls into moral decay, prompting G"d to bring a Great Flood to cleanse the earth. Only Noach, a righteous man, is commanded to build an Ark to save his family and pairs of every animal species.
After the waters recede, G"d establishes a Covenant with Noach and all living creatures, symbolized by the Rainbow. He promises never to destroy the world by flood again and provides basic laws for humanity to follow.
The generation later attempts to build the Tower of Babel to challenge Heaven. In response, G"d confounds their languages and scatters them across the earth, leading to the diversity of nations.
People
Noach
A righteous man who walked with G"d and survived the flood by building the Ark.
Shem
The son of Noach who received a special blessing and is a forefather of the Semitic people.
Ham
The son of Noach who acted disrespectfully toward his father after the flood.
Japheth
The son of Noach blessed with beauty and intellectual expansion.
Nimrod
A mighty hunter and king who led the rebellion at the Tower of Babel.
Terah
The father of Abram who began the journey from Ur Kasdim toward Canaan.
Key commandments (mitzvot)
Be Fruitful and Multiply · Genesis 9:7
A commandment given to Noach and his sons to repopulate the earth after the flood.
Prohibition of Eating a Limb from a Living Animal · Genesis 9:4
Humans are permitted to eat meat but are strictly forbidden from eating flesh taken from an animal while it is still **alive**.
Full text
Quiz & badge
Answer every question correctly to earn the badge.
1. What sign did G"d give as a symbol of His covenant with humanity?
2. Why did G"d scatter the people at the Tower of Babel?
3. How many levels did the Ark have?
4. Which bird finally returned with an olive leaf, signaling the water had receded?