Forty Days of Rain and Noah's Faltering Faith

"For in seven more days I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days" (Genesis 7:4). Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai said: they transgressed against the Torah, which was given in forty days; therefore forty days and forty nights. Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai said: they corrupted the form [of the embryo], which is given form in forty days; therefore forty days and forty nights. "And I will blot out all existence" (Genesis 7:4). Rabbi Berekhiah says: its sustenance. Rabbi Avin said: its standing things. Rabbi Levi and Resh Lakish said: this is Cain, who was hanging in suspension, and the flood came and washed him away, as it is said, "and He blotted out all existence" (Genesis 7:23). "And Noah did according to all that the LORD commanded him" (Genesis 7:5) - this refers to the gathering of animal, beast, and bird. "And Noah was six hundred years old, and the flood was water" (Genesis 7:6). Rabbi Judah and Rabbi Nehemiah: Rabbi Judah says the year of the flood does not count in the reckoning. Rabbi Nehemiah said to him: even though it does not count in the reckoning of his years, it does count for the seasons and calculations. "And Noah came... because of the waters of the flood" (Genesis 7:7). Rabbi Yohanan said: Noah was lacking in faith. Had the waters not reached his ankles, he would not have entered the ark. "Two by two they came to Noah" (Genesis 7:9). Falsehood came and wished to enter. Noah said to it: you cannot, unless you take yourself a mate. It met Mishap [Calamity] and said, "Where do you come from?" It answered, "From Noah, where I went wishing to enter the ark, and he would not let me in, but said: if you have a mate you may enter. Would you like to be my mate?" It said, "And what will you give me?" It answered, "I undertake with you that all I acquire, you shall take." They made a pact between them that whatever Falsehood gathers, Mishap shall take. The two of them entered the ark. When they came out, Falsehood would go and gather, and Mishap would take whatever came first. Falsehood said, "Where is all that I acquired?" It answered, "Did you not make a pact with me that whatever you gather I shall take?" And Falsehood had no opening to reply. Therefore it is said, "He conceives mischief and gives birth to falsehood" (Psalms 7:15). "And it came to pass after the seven days" (Genesis 7:10). Rava said: these were the days of mourning for Methuselah the righteous, to teach you that the eulogy of the righteous holds back calamity.