1)

What is the significance of No'ach, Daniel and Iyov?

1.

Rashi #1 (from Tanchuma Noach 5): These three saw three worlds (refer to 14:14:2:1, 14:14:3:1, 14:14:5:1). They are an example for Yechanyah's generation. They saw the Bayis built, destroyed, and Bayis Sheni. Hashem said, I show an extra dearness to you (Yechanyah and his exile). If a land of Nochrim sin against me, and I decreed one of these four punishments ? hunger, evil Chayos, the sword or plague. These three Tzadikim will not save a son or daughter (16). I will bring all four [punishments] against Yerushalayim, and I will leave over from your children there, even though you are not there and they are not worthy to be saved. It is only to console you when they will be exiled among you and you will see their evil deeds. You will be consoled over the evil that I brought on you, for you will see that they were not worthy [for Hashem] to bear them further.

2.

Rashi #2: Hashem saved them from these three 1 punishments.

3.

Radak: All three of them remained in their virtue amidst a test, and were saved.

4.

Malbim: They were Tzadikim in unworthy generations ? Noach in Dor ha'Mabul, Daniel in the generation of the Churban 2 , and Iyov in the generation in which the Satan came to prosecute ? "mi'Shot ba'Aretz ume'His'halech Bah" (Iyov 1:7). These four judgments struck them. The Mabul was evil from Shamayim. Iyov was punished via the Yesodos of Ru'ach and fire, which are also from Shamayim, and the sword of Shva and Kasdim. Daniel was saved from the sword and evil Chayos.


1

Perhaps the text should say 'of the four.' (PF)

2

There were other Tzadikim in the generation, e.g. Yirmeyah, Yechezkel, Mordechai, Chananyah, Misha'el and Azaryah! Presumably, Daniel was mentioned, for was he saved from two of the evils - the sword and Chayos. (PF)

2)

Why does it mention No'ach?

1.

Rashi #1: He saw a world that was built, destroyed and built.

2.

Rashi #2: Noach was saved from the three punishments. (a) From evil Chayos ? when he entered the ark, all the Chayos wanted to enter, and Hashem did not let them ?"va'Yisgor Hashem Ba'ado" (Bereishis 7:16). Va'Yisgor is [protection] from Chayos ? "v'Sagar Pum Aryavasa v'Lo Chabeluni" (Daniel 6:23). A lion came to enter, and its teeth were dulled. A bear came to enter, and its legs were rocking? (Bereishis Rabah 31:7). (b) From hunger ? Bereishis Rabah (25:3) lists 10 place where hunger descended to the world; one of them was in Noach's days - "Min ha'Adamah Asher Arerah" (Bereishis 5:29). (c) From the sword ? this is the flood. Also, people of his generation said 'we will not let you enter the ark.' Hashem saved him, and said 'I will enter him in the middle of the day ? one who protests, let him speak ? "b'Etzem ha'Yom ha'Zeh Ba Noach" (ibid. 7:13) ? in the Itzum (intensity) of the day.

3.

Radak: There was no greater test than Noach. Hashem told him to make an ark. He did so in the eyes of his entire generation. They opposed making the ark; it shows that they will be wiped out. He trusted in Hashem, and did not fear.

3)

Why does it mention Daniel?

1.

Rashi #1: Daniel saw the Beis ha'Mikdash, or he himself was initially the officer over all officers. In the end he was cast into the lions' den, and he returned to his grandeur.

2.

Rashi #2: (a) [He was saved from the sword] when Nebuchadnetzar entered the Heichal in the days of Yehoyakim, he killed Yehoyakim and spared Daniel was saved from and exiled him, for he found him full of Ru'ach Chachmah. (b) He was saved from hunger ? before Yerushalayim was conquered in the days of Yehoyakim, Nebuchadnetzar came against it for three years ? "va'Yhi Ra'av Gadol", "va'Yechezak ha'Ra'av ba'Ir" (Melachim II, 6:25, 25:3) 1 . (c) He was saved from evil Chayos - "v'Sagar Pum Aryavasa v'Lo Chabeluni" (Daniel 6:23).

3.

Radak (based on Tanchuma Noach 5): He saw the Beis ha'Mikdash built, destroyed and built (Bayis Sheni). Even though he was in Bavel, and did not see it destroyed, for he was exiled with Yehoyakim 2 , it was destroyed in his days, and afterwards he saw [Bayis Sheni] when Koresh authorized to rebuild it. His virtue saved only himself, and it did not save him from Galus. How could he remain alone in [Eretz Yisrael], and his fellow Tzadikim, like Yechezkel, Chananyah, Misha'el and Azaryah, in a destroyed land? It was good for them to be exiled to Bavel, and not see the Churban of the city and Beis ha'Mikdash.

4.

Radak: Also he stood in a great test. They cast him into the lion's den. He trusted in Hashem to save him 3 . He did not deny Hashem amidst fear of death, and he was saved.


1

This verse applies to the siege of Shomron! It seems that there are printings mistakes in Rashi. Also, it should say 'before it was conquered in the days of Tzidkiyah'. (PF)

2

Presumably the text should say 'Yehoyachin', like Radak below (33:21). (PF)

3

What is the source that he expected Hashem to save him? One who is Moser himself on condition that [Shamayim] do a miracle for him, they do not do a miracle for him! (Sifra Emor 8) (PF)

4)

Why is Daniel written without a Yud?

1.

Radak: We find like this ? Yerushalayim is written without a Yud, but it is pronounced. The Yud has a Dagesh, and the Tzeirei is under the Yud.

5)

Why does it mention Iyov?

1.

Rashi #1: He saw himself settled, destroyed and settled.

2.

Rashi #2: (a) He was saved from hunger according to the opinion that he lived in the days of Yakov (Bava Basra 15b) ? there was hunger in Yakov's days. (b) He was saved from evil Chayos ? "u'Miknehu Paratz ba'Aretz" ? Paratz (it breached) nature (ibid.) He was saved from the sword ? "Yefalach Kilyosi v'Lo Yachmol" (Iyov 15:13).

3.

Radak #1: He saw himself built with sons and daughters, wealth and property, and saw himself desolate from all his sons and daughters and property, and afflicted. He saved only himself from death, but not his sons and daughters, for they were not Tzadikim like himself ? "Im Banecha Chat'u Lo va'Yshalchem b'Yad Pish'am" (Iyov 8:4). "V'Ein mi'Yadi Matzil" - Avraham does not save Yishmael (from punishment 1 ) and Yitzchak does not save Esav (Sanhedrin 104a). Iyov did not save himself from afflictions, for it was for his benefit, to cleanse his few sins, even though he did not know [his sins]. .

4.

Radak #2: Also he stood in a great test. The Satan struck him with evil boils from his heel to his head. He stood in the test and did not sin with his lips, to say words against Hashem, and he was saved. from the three punishments. (a) From evil Chayos


1

This is like the opinion that Yishmael did not repent (PF).

6)

What do we learn from "Yenatzelu Nafsham"?

1.

Radak: The land was destroyed due to the sin of its residents. These [three] Tzadikim saved only themselves. Only Noach and his sons were Tzadikim in that generation ? "Ki Osecha Ra'isi Tzadik Lefanai ba'Dor ha'Zeh" (Bereishis 7:1). From his entire Dor, he saved only himself and his sons, who were Tzadikim. Even though Chasidim were killed, and did not save themselves at the time of the Churban ? "Nasenu Es Nivlas Avadecha" (Tehilim 79:2), perhaps this refers to a lone Chasid among many at the time of the killing. "Ad Tzedek Yashuv Mishpat" (ibid. 94:15) ? but when there are at least three Tzadikim, their merits join and they save themselves.

2.

Radak: Even though all three stood in great tests, they saved only themselves, but not others.

3.

Malbim: Even though the harshest Tochachah came, their virtue helped to save themselves.

7)

Why does it not mention [not saving] sons and daughters from hunger, like it mentions regarding the other punishments?

1.

Rashi: This is like Daniel, who was one of them, from Yechanyah's generation. He did not save sons or daughters; Yeshayah (56:4-5) prophesized about him "Ko Amar Hashem la'Sarisim Asher Yishmeru Es Shabsosai; [? v'Nasati Lahem? Tov mi'Banim umi'Banos 1 ]."

2.

Malbim: There is no need to teach this here. It is obvious!


1

I do not know why this applies to hunger more than to the other punishments. (PF)

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