Noah Found Grace and the Three Discoveries of the Holy One

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 47:3

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"He shall deliver the island of the innocent" (Job 22:30) — one measure [unkiya] in the hand of Noah. If so, why "shall be delivered"? Rather, "it is delivered by the cleanness of your hands" — that you found grace. Three discoveries the Holy One, blessed be He, made: "And You found his heart faithful before You" (Nehemiah 9:8) [of Abraham]; "I have found David My servant" (Psalms 89:21); "Like grapes in the wilderness I found Israel" (Hosea 9:10). But is it not written, "And Noah found grace"? He said to him: he found, but the Holy One, blessed be He, did not [reckon it among His own discoveries]. To one who was on the road and saw another and they became attached — how far? Until he bound love with him. It is said here "grace," and it is said there, "And Joseph found grace" (Genesis 39:4) [a verbal analogy].

Themes

NoahRighteousDivine Compassion

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