The Raven – Nevermore

The Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh questions why the raven was sent but rejects the suggestion that it was in order to check the water level: The Torah surely would have stated this, as it does subsequently regarding the dove's mission. Rather, in keeping with a Talmudic tradition (Sanhedrin 108b) the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh reveals why the raven was sent: because Noach didn't want it around. The Talmud suggests that the raven was cast out because it broke protocol and had relations on the Ark. While the dove was sent on a reconnaissance mission, the raven was simply expelled. The raven, for his part, refused to leave.