Noah Righteous in His Generations - Silver, Balsam, and the Virtuous Maiden

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Noach 6:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Genesis 6:9:) "These are the generations [of Noah; Noah was a righteous man, perfect in his generations]." What is the meaning of "in his generations"? There are those who expound it to praise, and there are those who expound it to disgrace. "A righteous man" — in his generations, but not in other generations. A parable; to what is the matter comparable? If a person places a silver sela among [a hundred] copper selas, that silver one appears beautiful. So too did Noah appear righteous in the generation of the Flood. How do some expound it to praise? It is comparable to a young woman who dwelt in a market of harlots and yet remained virtuous (kasher); had she been in a market of the virtuous (kesherot), how much more so. A parable to a jar of balsam that was placed in a grave, and its fragrance was good; had it been in a house, how much more so.

Themes

RighteousnessNoahDeathAdam EveWisdom

Biblical References

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