And that's precisely the question posed in The Midrash of Philo, a collection of interpretations and expansions on the Torah attributed to Philo of Alexandria, the great Jewish philosopher who lived in Egypt around the time of Jesus. The question, plain and simple, is this: "What is the meaning of the words, 'It destroyed every living substance which was on the face of the earth?'" (Genesis 7:23).
It seems straightforward at first glance. The Flood wiped out everything. End of story. But Jewish tradition rarely settles for the simple answer, does it? We love to dig deeper, to uncover the hidden layers of meaning within the text. What's the drash, the deeper interpretation, here?
The Midrash of Philo doesn't offer one single answer, of course. That's not really how midrash works. Instead, it invites us to grapple with the text, to consider its implications, and to find our own understanding within the tradition. Maybe the destruction was not just physical, but spiritual as well. Perhaps it was a cleansing, a necessary step to pave the way for a new beginning for humanity.
Or maybe, just maybe, the words hint at something even more profound about the nature of destruction and renewal, themes that continue to resonate with us today. What does it truly mean to wipe the slate clean? And what responsibilities do we have in building a better world in the aftermath?
These are the kinds of questions that the Torah, and the midrashic tradition, invites us to consider. It's not about finding definitive answers, but about engaging with the text in a meaningful and personal way. So, the next time you read about the Flood, take a moment to pause and reflect on those powerful words: "It destroyed every living substance which was on the face of the earth." What do they mean to you?