When the flood was over and all living things on the earth had perished, the Torah tells us, “Vayishaer ach Noach … - That only Noach and those with him in the Ark remained.” The word “ach/only” always implies diminution, limiting, lessening. While it is obvious from the narrative that the only ones remaining were Noach and everyone in the ark with him, the addition of the word “ach” seems superfluous, that is unless Noach himself had also been diminished in some way. The Medrash picks up on this extraneous word and tells us that indeed Noach himself was diminished. Having all those creatures in the ark with him made him responsible for feeding them for the whole year during which they were thus confined. One time, Noach was a bit late feeding the lion. The lion kicked him in response, leaving Noach with an injury that left him less than whole and healthy.
Click here for Summary by Channie Koplowitz Stein.
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