We all know the story: the flood, the ark, two of every animal… but the logistics! How did he feed them all? What did he eat?

The Torah tells us, "And you, take for you from all food that is eaten, and gather it to you, and it shall be for you and for them for food" (Genesis 6:21). Simple enough. But what does that mean?

Well, the rabbis of the Midrash, those ancient interpreters of scripture, wrestled with this very question. In Bereshit Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Genesis, we find some fascinating ideas.

Rabbi Abba bar Kahana had a very practical suggestion. He believed Noah took cakes of pressed figs. Why figs? Because, he argued, they’re nourishing for both humans and animals. A sort of universal, all-purpose food! Efficient. According to Rabbi Abba bar Kahana’s understanding, the phrase "It shall be for you and for them" implies a food that works for everyone on board.

But not everyone agreed. Rabbi Nehemya thought that most of what Noah took was, indeed, fig cakes. But Rabbi Levi saw things a bit differently. He imagined Noah packing a diverse menu: branches for the elephants, wild onions for the gazelles, even glass for the ostriches! (Apparently, ostriches have a thing for shiny objects, which aid in their digestion).

Rabbi Levi’s point? Noah wouldn't have relied on a single food source. Instead, he catered to the specific dietary needs of each creature. He reads "It shall be for you and for them" as meaning humans first, then the animals – a hierarchy of needs, if you will. Your food takes precedence, but they still get fed.

And Rabbi Abba bar Kahana had another thought: Noah also took vine branches for planting vines, fig branches for planting fig trees, and olive branches for planting olive trees after the Flood. Talk about planning ahead!

These interpretations highlight a key debate: Was Noah’s ark a model of efficiency, or a carefully curated ecosystem? Did he prioritize simplicity, or diversity?

There's a practical lesson embedded in this discussion, too. The text continues, “Take for you from all food that is eaten, and gather it to you” – implying, according to the rabbis, that we shouldn’t hoard what we don’t need. It's a subtle reminder about balance and moderation, even in the face of a global catastrophe.

Finally, the text concludes with the simple statement: "And Noah did; according to everything that God commanded him, so he did" (Genesis 6:22). This, the rabbis say, refers to the actual construction of the ark itself.

So, what can we take away from this exploration of Bereshit Rabbah 31? Perhaps it’s that even the most familiar stories contain layers of meaning, waiting to be uncovered. Perhaps it’s a reminder that even in times of crisis, careful planning, consideration for others, and a little foresight can go a long way. And maybe, just maybe, it’s a good excuse to go bake a batch of fig cakes.