“The flood was forty days upon the earth, and the water increased, and lifted the ark, and it was raised above the earth” (Genesis 7:17). “The flood was forty days upon the earth” – Rabbi Pinḥas said in the name of Rabbi Levi: So Noah’s ark was submerged in the water, like a ship that is submerged while standing in the port.31That is, its hull is partially submerged at the port, until it touches the ground. [Only after that:] “The water increased [and lifted the ark]…” – Rabbi Pinḥas said in the name of Rabbi Levi: So Noah’s ark floated on the water’s surface as if on two planks,32Like a light boat that is placed on two wooden planks, which, not being submerged in the water at all, travels lightly across the water. like from Tiberias to Susita.33A short distance, travelled easily.