Devar/5769/Lech Lecha
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עברית
English
I have set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth. (Gen 9:13)
There are some who interpret that the rainbow was only created then -- that is to say, that there was no rainbow until after the Flood. This is difficult to accept, since the phenomenon of the rainbow is well explained by the science of optics. If there was rain and sun before the Flood, there would have been rainbows -- unless God had changed the nature of light (or of the rain).
A second interpretation -- there was indeed, always a rainbow, but the sun's light was not strong enough to penetrate the heavy clouds of that era. And God lightened the cloud cover (or strengthened the light's power) so the light could penetrate the clouds.
And there is Rav Sa`adia Gaon's interpretation, that there were always rainbows in the clouds -- but that from that moment on, they were to serve as a sign. And this is what I lean towards -- since it doesn't require a new Creation, nor a miracle, rather a "new heart" and a new point of view from humans.
Why a rainbow, and why a sign? It should be enough that God says and it be so -- since He doesn't give signs for everything! Regarding signs, that is not quite true: He gave the sign of the Covenant (circumcision) in our flesh, and the fringes (tsitsit) on our garments -- which themselves are a sign to remember the Torah which He commanded us. But He did not give the Gentiles circumcision nor fringes -- therefore He required a sign which everyone in the world would see, and know that it was from Him. The Gentiles too, are in need of reminders -- of a sign -- that He exists and causes to exist. Therefore, when they raise up their heads, they will see a sign from Him may His name be blessed -- that He remembers His creatures, Jews Gentiles and all living creatures.
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