Midrash Aggadah (Tanchuma, Noach 9) [states]: “Noach was groaning...because of the heavy burden [of caring for] the farm and wild animals (Rashi to Bereishis 7:24)
The Torah reveals to us why the Generation of the Flood was destroyed: כִי־מָלְאָה הָאָרֶץ חָמָס מִפְנֵׂיהֶם - for the earth has become full of robbery because of them. The world became a place where people did not care for the well being of others! In the eyes of Hashem, such a world lacks its purpose and essence. Therefore, such a world cannot exist.
The “father” of the new generation (Noach) needed to begin building the new world on the basis of חסד (kindness). Hence, Noach was given a critical task: for the entire year, day in and day out, he was to be constantly involved in doing חסד, namely, feeding the animals. Therefore, חסד is the foundation of the world that we live in!
