Parsha Noach -- B'reshit 6:9 -
11:32
Mark R. Ensign, Adot Adonai, Amarillo, Texas
Introductory questions -- Brief answers, not for extended discussion:
1. At what point in history does this parsha
unfold?
2. Where does this parsha take place
geographically? What are the setting and environment?
3. Who are the primary actors in the parsha and
what role or roles does each play? What is the
significance of each role? Who are the secondary
actors and what roles do they play? What is the
significance of their roles?
4. What is the overall theme of this parsha? What
are the subdivisions, if any?
Parsha Specific Questions -- for extended discussion:
1. 6:5-12. Describe the conditions found in the
world. What was YHVH's state of mind about his
creation? What were his intentions to remedy this
situation? What parallels do you see between the
condition of the world today and the condition at
the time of Noach? What did the Prophets and the Brit
Chadashah have to say about the future condition of
the world? What reference did Y'shua make to these
times and future judgment? Are they applicable
today?
2. 6:13-22. What attribute(s) of YHVH was displayed
in his communications with Noach and specifically
how was this attribute(s) manifested? What covenant
would YHVH establish with Noach? What was
Noach's response and how was it manifested? What
attributes of spiritual life did Noach demonstrate?
3. 6:13-7:10. Describe the rescue plan provided by
YHVH to Noach. What were the specific physical
benefits of the plan and the Ark to Noach, his
family, and YHVH's creation? What things, both physically
and spiritually, did Noach have to do to receive
these benefits? What parallel spiritual benefits are
symbolized by the Ark of YHVH? According to the
Scriptures of the Brit Chadashah, what must one do
today in order to receive these benefits, both
physically and spiritually? What other parallels do you see
between the rescue plan for Noach and the rescue
plan for his Torah-believing and observant descendants
at the end of days?
4. 7:11-8:19. Describe the flood in terms of: (1)
the mechanism YHVH used; (2) the duration; (3) the
coverage and the depth; (4) the extent of
destruction. Imagine that you were one of Noach's sons or
daughters in law. Describe your emotional state
during: (2) the first 40 days; (2) the next nine months; (3)
the last 60 days; (4) the first few days on dry
land.
5. 8:20-9:7. What was Noach's response to his
deliverance by YHVH's mighty hand and his return to dry
land? What was YHVH's response? What blessings did
YHVH speak over Noach and his sons? What
impact did this have on their diet? What other
effects did the blessing have?
6. 9:8-17. Describe the nature and extent of the
Brit Olam - Eternal Covenant. Who were the initial
parties? What were the conditions precedent? How
did Noach satisfy them? Who would benefit from
this covenant? What were the benefits to be
received? What sealed the covenant? What was the sign of
the covenant and how would all parties and
beneficiaries benefit from this sign? What blessing is
traditionally recited when one sees this sign?
7. 9:18-10:32. What significance do you attach to
the story of Noach in his drunken state and what may
have been done to him? What impact may these events
have had upon the development of paganism?
What lessons can be learned? Of the descendants of
the three sons, which one or more stand out and
why?
8. 11:1-9. What were the purposes for the building
of the tower? What attitude did they have toward
themselves and toward their Creator? What god did
they really worship and serve? What was the
response of the One True and Living G-d? What
things did he do to ensure there would be no further
attempts? What is the meaning and significance of
"bavel" and its relationship to Y'shua? What contrasting
parallels are there between Migdal Bavel (Tower of
Babel) and the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) and
what do we learn from them?
9. 11:10-32. Describe the narrowing of the focus of
Torah from all the descendants of the three sons of
Noach to the descendants of a specific son and then
to a specific descendant. Who is this and what will
be the significance of his identification? What does
his name mean? What is his background, belief and
environment?
Closing Questions: For Personal Introspection
What were G-d's purposes and objectives in
preserving this portion of the Scriptures to this day? What
benefit do these Scriptures have for Torah
observant believers today?
What other insights has the Ruach HaKodesh given
you in your study of this portion that you would like
to share with the group?
What questions from this portion have you had that
have not been answered by the group study?
What impact do you think the study of the words
from your Father in this portion will have on your life?
How do you plan to implement his instructions in
this parsha in your life?
Silently ask the Ruach HaKodesh to implant these
words of our Father like seeds, to nurture their growth
in your heart, and to enable you to respond fully
as they do.