Perfect In His Generation
The parsha tells us that Noach was “perfect in his generations.” There are those who understand this as a positive statement and others who understand it as a negative one. This Sicha discusses the manner in which Noach compares to various generations of tzadikim.
This week’s parsha begins with a description of Noach’s character:
Text 1
These are the offspring of Noach—Noach was a righteous man, perfect in his generations; Noach walked with G-d.
Bereishis 6:9
A perfect man
The simple reading of this verse, is expressive of the virtues and flawlessness of Noach. It calls him “righteous” and “perfect” and concludes by relating that he “walked with G-d.” Surely then, it would seem, that a man like Noach is someone we should strive to emulate, as he was a paragon of consummate perfection.
Notwithstanding these descriptions that extol his qualities, throughout rabbinic literature there have been rabbinic authorities that have judged Noach critically.
The basis on which they judged him negatively was founded upon their understanding of the verse’s statement that Noach was “perfect in his generation.” In the additional words, “in his generation,” the verse tells us that Noach’s greatness was only in relation to his generation. Compared to other generations though, he would have been judged on a different scale.
Others see the words “perfect in his generations” as an expression of Noach’s praise. He was righteous despite his corrupt surroundings.
How much more so would he have been righteous in a generation where the rest of its members were upright as well.
Text 2
Noach was a just man, and perfect in his generations. Rav Yochanan said: “In his generations, but not in other generations.” Resh Lakish maintained: “[Even] in his generations — how much more so in other generations.” Rav Chanina said: “As an illustration of Rav Yochanan's view, to what may this be compared? To a barrel of wine lying in a vault of acid: in its place, its odor is fragrant [by comparison with the acid]; elsewhere, its odor will not be fragrant.” Rav Oshia said: “As an illustration of Resh Lakish's view, to what may this be compared? To a vial of spikenard oil lying amidst refuse: [if] it is fragrant where it is, how much more so amidst spices!”
Talmud, Sanhedrin 108a
Though this Talmudic piece expresses the various opinions of Noach’s stature, it does not enumerate the specific generations in which Noach’s greatness would not have been noticed.
List of Opinions
The following is a list of the various opinions which discuss this:
1 In his generations, but not in other generations. (Talmud, Sanhedrin 108a)
2 Were he to have been in the generation of Avraham, he would not have been able to find his hands or feet. (Tanchuma, Noach 5)
3 Were he to have been in the generation of Moshe or the generation of Shmuel, he would not have been [considered] a tzadik. (Bereishis Rabba 30:9)
4 If he had lived in any other generation, such as that of Avraham, Moshe or Dovid, then he would not have been considered at all. (Zohar, 60a)
The generations mentioned in the opinions listed above are, namely: (a) the generation of Avraham (Tanchuma); (b) the generations of Moshe and Shmuel (Bereishis Rabba); and (c) the generations of Avraham, Moshe and Dovid (Zohar).
It is self-understood that each of these above sources used examples of different tzadikim because of the variant implication that each was imparting.
A) Tanchuma:
The Tanchuma’s choice of comparison with Avraham is due to the fact that Avraham lived in the generation which immediately followed Noach (with their lives overlapping for 58 years). The most natural assumption would therefore be that when the Torah excluded other generations besides that of Noach’s, its intent was to exclude the generation of Avraham, which immediately follows.
B) Bereishis Rabba:
By mentioning the generations of Moshe and Shmuel the contrast is understood as well.
Moshe was the greatest prophet that ever lived. It is obvious therefore, that Noach, although considered a perfect tzadik, would not have been noticed, were he to have been present in the same generation as Moshe.
Such was also the case with Shmuel. Were Noach to have lived in his generation, it is understood that he would not have been noticed in comparison to Shmuel.
Shmuel’s greatness can be appreciated by the Talmud’s comment on his mother Chana’s prayer, when she prayed for a “man-child.”
Text 3
Rav Yochanan said: “Seed that will be equal to two men—namely, Moshe and Aharon, as it says: ‘Moshe and Aharon among His priests and Shmuel among them, that call upon His name.’”
Talmud, Berachos 31b
It therefore is clear that compared to Shmuel—whom the Talmud declares was comparable to Moshe—Noach would hardly be worth mentioning as a tzadik.
C) Zohar:
The Zohar, however, which singles out the three generations of Avraham, Moshe and Dovid, is difficult to understand. What is the significance of these three generations that
