“Every living being that is with you, from all flesh, of the bird, and of the animal, and of every crawling creature that crawls on the earth, take out [haitze] with you, and they will teem on the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth” (Genesis 8:17). “Every living being that is with you…[take out [haitze] with you]” – hotze is written, but it is read haitze.14Hotze means “take [them] out peacefully,” while “haitze” implies a degree of coercion.
“They will teem on the earth” – but not in the ark;15The animals, too, were not allowed to procreate while in the ark. “and be fruitful…upon the earth” – but not in the ark. “Every beast, every crawling creature and every bird, every creature that crawls on the earth, by their families, emerged from the ark” (Genesis 8:19). “Every beast, every crawling creature…every creature that crawls” [romess]” – Rabbi Aivu said: Romess is written with a vav – to exclude hybrids.16The Midrash interprets this verse as a commandment to Noah and his sons as to how they should act regarding animals.
Romess is written with a full spelling to emphasize that the animals must be completely of their species and not bred with another species. The verse is intimating that it is forbidden for Noahides to cross-breed animals. “By their families” – to the exclusion of castration.17Noahides are forbidden to castrate animals, which would prevent them from producing “families.” The descendants of Noah were commanded regarding seven matters: Regarding idol worship; regarding sexual immorality; regarding bloodshed; regarding the blessing of the Name;18This is a euphemism for blasphemy. regarding implementing justice; regarding robbery; and regarding [eating] a limb [taken] from a living animal.
Rabbi Ḥanina ben Gamliel says: Regarding [drinking] blood from a living animal, as well. Rabbi Eliezer says: Regarding [producing] hybrids, as well. Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai says: Regarding sorcery, as well. Rabbi Yoḥanan ben Beroka says: Regarding castration, as well.
Rabbi Assi said: The descendants of Noah were commanded regarding everything that is written in the passage of: “There shall not be found among you any one who passes his son or his daughter [through the fire, or who practices divination, or interprets omens, or an enchanter or a sorcerer]…” (Deuteronomy 18:10–11), as it is written thereafter: “For anyone who performs these matters is an abomination to the Lord [and it is because of these abominations that the Lord your God is driving them [the Canaanites] out from before you]” (Deuteronomy 18:12).19Since the Canaanites were banished for performing these acts, it must be that these acts were forbidden to them.