The Torah tells us (Genesis 8:10) that Noah waited seven more days and then released the dove again. But why?
The Midrash of Philo tackles this head-on, asking a simple but profound question: What was the reason for this second dove mission? What changed in those seven days?
Think about it. The first time, the dove came back with an olive branch. A sign of hope, yes, but also a sign that the waters were beginning to recede. Perhaps Noah was impatient. Maybe he needed more reassurance.
Or maybe, as the Midrash suggests, there was a deeper, more symbolic reason. Perhaps the seven days represented a period of waiting, of reflection, of preparing for a new beginning. Seven, after all, is a number laden with spiritual significance in Judaism – think of Shabbat, the seven days of creation, the seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot.
The second sending of the dove, then, wasn't just a fact-finding mission. It was a test of faith, a confirmation of hope, and a step towards rebuilding a world washed clean. What do you think? Was it impatience, faith, or something else that prompted Noah to release the dove again?