Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

We begin this aliyah right after the mabul, with Noach and his three sons, Shem, Cham, and Yephes, coming out of the teivah to rebuild the world. Lichoira, instead of focusing on ruchniyus, Noach immediately becomes a "man of the soil" and plants a vineyard, which leads to a major nisayon. He gets drunk and uncovered in his tent, leading to Cham's terrible bizayon of his father, while Shem and Yephes show tremendous zrizus and yiras Shamayim by walking backward to cover him with the utmost kavod.

After Noach wakes up and realizes what happened, he curses Cham's son, Canaan, to be a slave of slaves, while giving beautiful brachos to Shem and Yephes. The Torah then transitions to the generations after the mabul, listing the descendants of Noach's sons as they begin to branch out across the world. We also meet Nimrod, the first mighty rebel on earth, and see how the different families and nations began to establish their own lands and languages.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

פָּסוּק א

Pasuk 1

וַיִּהְיוּAnd they wereבְנֵיthe sons ofנֹחַNoachהַיֹּצְאִיםwho came outמִןfromהַתֵּבָהthe arkשֵׁםShemוְחָםand Chamוָיָפֶתand Yephesוְחָםand Chamהוּאheאֲבִיthe father ofכְנָעַן׃Kenaan

רַשִׁ״י

וחםAnd Chamהואheאביis the father ofכנען.Canaanלָמָּהwhyהֻצְרַךְwas it necessaryלוֹמַרto sayכָּאן?hereלְפִיBecauseשֶׁהַפָּרָשָׁהthat the sectionעֲסוּקָהis occupiedוּבָאָהand comesבְּשִׁכְרוּתוֹwith the drunkennessשֶׁלofנֹחַNoachשֶׁקִּלְקֵלwhere sinnedבָּהin itחָםChamוְעַלand throughיָדוֹhis handנִתְקַלֵּלwas cursedכְּנַעַן,Canaanוַעֲדַיִןand yetלֹאnotכָתַבdid he writeתּוֹלְדוֹתthe generations ofחָם,Chamוְלֹאand notיָדַעְנוּdid we knowשֶׁכְּנַעַןthat Canaanבְּנוֹis his son–לְפִיכָךְthereforeהֻצְרַךְit was necessaryלוֹמַרto sayכָּאןhereוְחָםand Chamהוּאheאֲבִיis the father ofכְנָעַן:Canaan

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

שְׁלֹשָׁהThreeאֵלֶּהtheseבְּנֵיwere the sons ofנֹחַNoachוּמֵאֵלֶּהand from theseנָפְצָהspread outכָלall ofהָאָרֶץ׃the earth

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וַיָּחֶלAnd beganנֹחַNoachאִישׁa man ofהָאֲדָמָהthe soilוַיִּטַּעand he plantedכָּרֶם׃a vineyard

רַשִׁ״י

ויחל.And he beganעָשָׂהhe madeעַצְמוֹhimselfחֻלִּין,profaneשֶׁהָיָהfor he wasלוֹto himלַעֲסֹקto occupyתְּחִלָּהfirstבִּנְטִיעָהwith plantingאַחֶרֶתanotherב"רBereishis Rabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

אישA man ofהאדמה.the groundאֲדוֹנֵיthe master ofהָאֲדָמָהthe groundכְּמוֹsimilar toאִישׁthe husband ofנָעֳמִיNaomiרותRuthא'1:

רַשִׁ״י

ויטעAnd he plantedכרם.a vineyardכְּשֶׁנִּכְנַסwhen he enteredלַתֵּבָהinto the Arkהִכְנִיסhe brought inעִמּוֹwith himזְמוֹרוֹתvine-shootsוְיִחוּרֵיand cuttings ofתְאֵנִיםfig treesב"רBereishis Rabbah:

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

וַיֵּשְׁתְּAnd he drankמִןfromהַיַּיִןthe wineוַיִּשְׁכָּרand he became drunkוַיִּתְגַּלand he uncovered himselfבְּתוֹךְwithinאָהֳלֹה׃his tent

רַשִׁ״י

ויתגל.and he uncovered himselfלְשׁוֹןan expression ofוַיִּתְפַּעֵל:the reflexive form

רַשִׁ״י

אהלה.His tentאהלהwith a heiכְּתִיב,it is writtenרֶמֶזan allusionלְי'to the tenשְׁבָטִיםtribesשֶׁנִּקְרְאוּwho were calledעַלbyשֵׁםthe name ofשׁוֹמְרוֹן,Shomronשֶׁנִּקְרֵאתwhich was calledאָהֳלָהOholahשֶׁגָּלוּwho were exiledעַלonעִסְקֵיaccount ofהַיַּיִןthe wineשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidהַשֹּׁתִיםwho drinkבְּמִזְרְקֵיin bowls ofיַיִןwineעמוסAmosו'six:

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וַיַּרְאAnd he sawחָםChamאֲבִיthe father ofכְנַעַןCanaanאֵת—עֶרְוַתthe nakedness ofאָבִיוhis fatherוַיַּגֵּדand he toldלִשְׁנֵיto his twoאֶחָיוbrothersבַּחוּץ׃outside

רַשִׁ״י

ויראAnd he sawחםChamאביthe father ofכנען.Canaanיֵשׁthere areמֵרַבּוֹתֵינוּfrom our Rabbisאוֹמְרִיםwho sayכְּנַעַןCanaanרָאָהsawוְהִגִּידand toldלְאָבִיו,to his fatherלְכָךְthereforeהֻזְכַּרhe was mentionedעַלuponהַדָּבָרthe matterוְנִתְקַלֵּלand was cursedב"רBereishis Rabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

ויראAnd he sawאת—ערותthe nakedness ofאביו.his fatherיֵשׁthere areאוֹמְרִיםthose who sayסֵרְסוֹhe castrated himוְיֵשׁand there areאוֹמְרִיםthose who sayרְבָעוֹhe sodomized himסנה'Sanhedrinע'70:

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וַיִּקַּחAnd tookשֵׁםShemוָיֶפֶתand Yephesאֶת—הַשִּׂמְלָהthe garmentוַיָּשִׂימוּand they placedעַלuponשְׁכֶםthe shoulder ofשְׁנֵיהֶםboth of themוַיֵּלְכוּand they walkedאֲחֹרַנִּיתbackwardוַיְכַסּוּand they coveredאֵת—עֶרְוַתthe nakedness ofאֲבִיהֶםtheir fatherוּפְנֵיהֶםand their facesאֲחֹרַנִּיתwere backwardוְעֶרְוַתand the nakedness ofאֲבִיהֶםtheir fatherלֹאthey did notרָאוּ׃see

רַשִׁ״י

ויקחAnd he tookשםShemויפת.and Japhethאֵיןit is notכְּתִיבwrittenוַיִּקְחוּ,and they tookאֶלָּאbut ratherוַיִּקַּחand he took–לִמֵּדit teachesעַלaboutשֵׁםShemשֶׁנִּתְאַמֵּץthat he exerted himselfבַּמִּצְוָהin the mitzvahיוֹתֵרmoreמִיֶּפֶת,than Japhethלְכָךְthereforeזָכוּmeritedבָנָיוhis sonsלְטַלִּיתthe cloakשֶׁלofצִיצִית,tzitzisוְיֶפֶתand Japhethזָכָהmeritedלִקְבוּרָהburialלְבָנָיו,for his sonsשֶׁנֶאֱמַרas it is saidאֶתֵּןI will giveלְגוֹגto Gogמְקוֹםa place ofשָׁםthereקֶבֶרburialיחזקאלYechezkelל"ט39,וְחָםAnd Chamשֶׁבִּזָּהwho despisedאֶת—אָבִיוhis fatherנֶאֱמַרit is saidבְּזַרְעוֹregarding his offspringכֵּןsoיִנְהַגshall leadמֶלֶךְthe king ofאַשּׁוּרAshurאֶת—שְׁבִיthe captives ofמִצְרַיִםMitzrayimוְאֶתand —גָּלוּתthe exiles ofכּוּשׁCushנְעָרִיםyoungוּזְקֵנִיםand oldעָרוֹםnakedוְיָחֵףand barefootוַחֲשׂוּפַיand with uncoveredשֵׁתbuttocksוְגוֹ'etc.ישעיהוYeshayahuכ'20:

רַשִׁ״י

ופניהםand their facesאחורנית.were backwardלָמָּהwhyנֶאֱמַרis it saidפַּעַםa timeשְׁנִיָּה?secondמְלַמֵּדit teachesשֶׁכְּשֶׁקָּרְבוּthat when they approachedאֶצְלוֹnear himוְהֻצְרְכוּand they neededלַהֲפֹךְto turnעַצְמָםthemselvesלְכַסּוֹתוֹto cover himהָפְכוּthey turnedפְנֵיהֶםtheir facesאֲחוֹרַנִּית:backward

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וַיִּיקֶץAnd he awokeנֹחַNoachמִיֵּינוֹfrom his wineוַיֵּדַעand he knewאֵת—אֲשֶׁרthat whichעָשָׂהhad doneלוֹto himבְּנוֹhis sonהַקָּטָן׃the young

רַשִׁ״י

בנוHis sonהקטן.the youngerהַפָּסוּלthe unfitוְהַבָּזוּי,and the despisedכְּמוֹlikeהִנֵּהbeholdקָטֹןsmallנְתַתִּיךָI made youבַּגּוֹיִםamong the nationsבָּזוּיdespisedבָּאָדָםamong menירמיהYirmeyahuמ"טforty nine:

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

וַיֹּאמֶרand he saidאָרוּרcursed isכְּנָעַןCanaanעֶבֶדa servant ofעֲבָדִיםservantsיִהְיֶהhe shall beלְאֶחָיו׃to his brothers

רַשִׁ״י

ארורCursedכנען.Canaanאַתָּהyouגָרַמְתָּcausedלִיfor meשֶׁלֹּאthat notאוֹלִידI will fatherבֵּןa sonרְבִיעִיfourthאַחֵרanotherלְשַׁמְּשֵׁנִי,to serve meאָרוּרcursedבִּנְךָyour sonרְבִיעִיfourthלִהְיוֹתto beמְשַׁמֵּשׁservingאֶת—זַרְעָםthe offspringשֶׁלofאֵלּוּtheseהַגְּדוֹלִים,older onesשֶׁהוּטַלupon whom was castעֲלֵיהֶםupon themטֹרַחthe burden ofעֲבוֹדָתִיmy serviceמֵעַתָּה.from now onוּמָהAnd whatרָאָהsawחָםChamשֶׁסֵּרְסוֹ?that he castrated himאָמַרHe saidלָהֶםto themלְאֶחָיוto his brothersאָדָםAdamהָרִאשׁוֹןthe firstשְׁנֵיtwoבָנִיםsonsהָיוּwereלוֹ,to himוְהָרַגand killedזֶהthis oneאֶת—זֶהthis oneבִּשְׁבִילfor the sake ofיְרֻשַּׁתthe inheritance ofהָעוֹלָם,the worldוְאָבִינוּand our fatherיֵשׁhasלוֹ·ג'threeבָּנִיםsonsוְעוֹדֶנּוּand he stillמְבַקֵּשׁseeksבֵּןa sonרְבִיעִי:fourth

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidבָּרוּךְblessed isיְהֹוָהHashemאֱלֹהֵיthe God ofשֵׁםShemוִיהִיand shall beכְנַעַןCanaanעֶבֶדa servantלָמוֹ׃to them

רַשִׁ״י

ברוךBlessed isה'Hashemאלהיthe God ofשם.Shemשֶׁעָתִידwho is destinedלִשְׁמֹרto keepהַבְטָחָתוֹHis promiseלְזַרְעוֹ,to his offspringלָתֵתto giveלָהֶםto themאֶת—אֶרֶץthe land ofכְּנַעַן:Canaan

רַשִׁ״י

ויהי.and may he beלָהֶםto themכְּנַעַןCanaanלְמַסfor tributeעוֹבֵד:serving

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

יַפְתְּMay He enlargeאֱלֹהִיםGodלְיֶפֶתfor Japhethוְיִשְׁכֹּןand let Him dwellבְּאָהֳלֵיin the tents ofשֵׁםShemוִיהִיand let beכְנַעַןCanaanעֶבֶדa slaveלָמוֹ׃to them

רַשִׁ״י

יפתMay enlargeאלהיםGodליפת.for Yephesמְתֻרְגָּםit is translatedיַפְתֵּי,may He extendיַרְחִיב:He will expand

רַשִׁ״י

וישכןand may He dwellבאהליin the tents ofשם.Shemיַשְׁרֶהmay He restשְׁכִינָתוֹHis Divine Presenceבְּיִשְׂרָאֵל.in Yisraelוּמִדְרַשׁand the exposition ofחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesאַעַ"פִּeven thoughשֶׁיַּפְתְּthat enlargedאֱלֹהִיםGodלְיֶפֶתfor Yephes–שֶׁבָּנָהin that builtכֹּרֶשׁ,Koreshשֶׁהָיָהwho wasמִבְּנֵיfrom the children ofיֶפֶת,Yephesבַּיִתthe HouseשֵׁנִיSecond–לֹאnotשָׁרְתָהdid dwellבּוֹin itשְׁכִינָה;the Divine Presenceוְהֵיכָןand whereשָׁרְתָה?did it dwellבְּמִקְדָשׁin the SanctuaryרִאשׁוֹןFirstשֶׁבָּנָהwhich builtשְׁלֹמֹהShlomoשֶׁהָיָהwho wasמִבְּנֵיfrom the children ofשֵׁם:Shem

רַשִׁ״י

ויהיAnd may he beכנעןCanaanעבדa servantלמו.to themאַףEvenמִשֶּׁיִּגְלוּwhen they exileבְנֵיthe children ofשֵׁםShemיִמָּכְרוּthere will be soldלָהֶםto themעֲבָדִיםslavesמִבְּנֵיfrom the children ofכְּנַעַן:Canaan

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וַיְחִיAnd livedנֹחַNoachאַחַרafterהַמַּבּוּלthe Floodשְׁלֹשׁthreeמֵאוֹתhundredשָׁנָהyearsוַחֲמִשִּׁיםand fiftyשָׁנָה׃years

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וַיִּהְיוּAnd they wereכָּלallיְמֵיthe days ofנֹחַNoachתְּשַׁעnineמֵאוֹתhundredשָׁנָהyearsוַחֲמִשִּׁיםand fiftyשָׁנָהyearsוַיָּמֹת׃and he died

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וְאֵלֶּהAnd these areתּוֹלְדֹתthe generations ofבְּנֵיthe sons ofנֹחַNoachשֵׁםShemחָםChamוָיָפֶתand Yephesוַיִּוָּלְדוּand there were bornלָהֶםto themבָּנִיםsonsאַחַרafterהַמַּבּוּל׃the Flood

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

בְּנֵיThe sons ofיֶפֶתYefesגֹּמֶרGomerוּמָגוֹגand Magogוּמָדַיand Madaiוְיָוָןand Yavanוְתֻבָלand Tuvalוּמֶשֶׁךְand Meshechוְתִירָס׃and Tiras

רַשִׁ״י

ותירס.And Tirasזוֹthis isפָּרַסPersiaב"רBereishis Rabbah:

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וּבְנֵיAnd the sons ofגֹּמֶרGomerאַשְׁכֲּנַזAshkenazוְרִיפַתand Riphathוְתֹגַרְמָה׃and Togarmah

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וּבְנֵיAnd the sons ofיָוָןYavanאֱלִישָׁהElishahוְתַרְשִׁישׁand TarshishכִּתִּיםKittimוְדֹדָנִים׃and Dodanim

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

מֵאֵלֶּהFrom theseנִפְרְדוּseparatedאִיֵּיthe islands ofהַגּוֹיִםthe nationsבְּאַרְצֹתָםin their landsאִישׁeach manלִלְשֹׁנוֹaccording to his languageלְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָםby their familiesבְּגוֹיֵהֶם׃in their nations

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וּבְנֵיAnd the sons ofחָםChamכּוּשׁCushוּמִצְרַיִםand Mitzrayimוּפוּטand Putוּכְנָעַן׃and Kenaan

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וּבְנֵיAnd the sons ofכוּשׁCushסְבָאSebaוַחֲוִילָהand Havilahוְסַבְתָּהand Sabtahוְרַעְמָהand Raamahוְסַבְתְּכָאand Sabtecaוּבְנֵיand the sons ofרַעְמָהRaamahשְׁבָאShebaוּדְדָן׃and Dedan

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

וְכוּשׁAnd Cushיָלַדbegotאֶת—נִמְרֹדNimrodהוּאheהֵחֵלbeganלִהְיוֹתto beגִּבֹּרa mighty oneבָּאָרֶץ׃in the land

רַשִׁ״י

להיותto beגבור.a mighty oneלְהַמְרִידto cause to rebelכָּלall ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldעַלagainstהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heבַּעֲצַתwith the counsel ofדוֹרthe generation ofהַפַּלָּגָה:the dispersion

פָּסוּק כא

Pasuk 21

הוּאHeהָיָהwasגִבֹּרa mightyצַיִדhunterלִפְנֵיbeforeיְהוָהHashemעַלthereforeכֵּן·יֵאָמַרit is saidכְּנִמְרֹדlike Nimrodגִּבּוֹרa mightyצַיִדhunterלִפְנֵיbeforeיְהוָה׃Hashem

רַשִׁ״י

גברa mightyציד.hunterצָדhe ensnaredדַּעְתָּןthe mindשֶׁלofבְּרִיוֹתpeopleבְּפִיו,with his mouthוּמַטְעָןand misled themלִמְרֹדto rebelבַּמָּקוֹם:against the Omnipresent

רַשִׁ״י

לפניBeforeה'.Hashemמִתְכַּוֵןintendingלְהַקְנִיטוֹto provoke Himעַלuponפָּנָיו:His face

רַשִׁ״י

עלThereforeכןsoיאמר.it is saidעַלregardingכָּלeveryאָדָםmanמַרְשִׁיעַwho acts wickedlyבְּעַזּוּתwith brazenness ofפָּנִים,faceיוֹדֵעwho knowsרִבּוֹנוֹhis Masterוּמִתְכַּוֵּןand intendsלִמְרֹדto rebelבּוֹ,against Himיֵאָמֵרit is saidזֶהthis one isכְּנִמְרֹדlike Nimrodגִּבּוֹרa mightyצַיִד:hunter

פָּסוּק כב

Pasuk 22

וַתְּהִיAnd wasרֵאשִׁיתthe beginning ofמַמְלַכְתּוֹhis kingdomבָּבֶלBavelוְאֶרֶךְand Erechוְאַכַּדand Accadוְכַלְנֵהand Calnehבְּאֶרֶץin the land ofשִׁנְעָר׃Shinar

פָּסוּק כג

Pasuk 23

מִןFromהָאָרֶץthe landהַהִואthatיָצָאwent forthאַשּׁוּרAsshurוַיִּבֶןand he builtאֶת—נִינְוֵהNinevehוְאֶתand —רְחֹבֹתRehobothעִירof the cityוְאֶתand —כָּלַח׃Calah

רַשִׁ״י

מןFromהארץthe landוגו'.etc.כֵּיוָןAs soon asשֶׁרָאָהthat he sawאַשּׁוּרAsshurאֶת—בָּנָיוhis sonsשׁוֹמְעִיןlisteningלְנִמְרוֹדto Nimrodוּמוֹרְדִיןand rebellingבַּמָקוֹםagainst the Omnipresentלִבְנוֹתto buildהַמִּגְדָּלthe Towerיָצָאhe went forthמִתּוֹכָם:from their midst

פָּסוּק כד

Pasuk 24

וְאֶתand —רֶסֶןResenבֵּיןbetweenנִינְוֵהNinevehוּבֵיןand betweenכָּלַחCalahהִואthat isהָעִירthe cityהַגְּדֹלָה׃the great

רַשִׁ״י

העירthe cityהגדלה.greatהִיאitנִינְוֵהNinevehשֶׁנֶּ'as it is saidוְנִינְוֵהand Ninevehהָיְתָהwasעִירa cityגְּדוֹלָהgreatלֵאלֹהִיםto GodיונהYonahג'3:

פָּסוּק כה

Pasuk 25

וּמִצְרַיִםAnd Mitzrayimיָלַדbegotאֶת—לוּדִיםLudimוְאֶתand —עֲנָמִיםAnamimוְאֶתand —לְהָבִיםLehabimוְאֶתand —נַפְתֻּחִים׃Naphtuhim

רַשִׁ״י

להבים.Lehabimשֶׁפְּנֵיהֶםwhose facesדּוֹמִיםresembleלְלַהַב:a flame

פָּסוּק כו

Pasuk 26

וְאֶתand —פַּתְרֻסִיםPathrusimוְאֶתand —כַּסְלֻחִיםCasluhimאֲשֶׁרwhomיָצְאוּcame outמִשָּׁםfrom thereפְּלִשְׁתִּיםPhilistinesוְאֶתand —כַּפְתֹּרִים׃Caphtorim

רַשִׁ״י

פתרסיםPathrusimואתand —כסלחיםCasluhimאשרwhomיצאוcame outמשםfrom thereפלשתים.Philistinesמִשְּׁנֵיהֶםfrom both of themיָצְאוּ,they came outשֶׁהָיוּfor they wereפַּתְרוּסִיםPathrusimוְכַסְלוּחִיםand Casluhimמַחֲלִיפִיןexchangingמִשְׁכַּבthe cohabitation ofנְשׁוֹתֵיהֶםtheir wivesאֵלּוּtheseלָאֵלּוּwith thoseוְיָצְאוּand there came outמֵהֶםfrom themפְּלִשְׁתִּים:Philistines

פָּסוּק כז

Pasuk 27

וּכְנַעַןAnd Canaanיָלַדbegotאֶת—צִידֹןSidonבְּכֹרוֹhis firstbornוְאֶתand —חֵת׃Heth

פָּסוּק כח

Pasuk 28

וְאֶתand —הַיְבוּסִיthe Jebusiteוְאֶתand —הָאֱמֹרִיthe Amoriteוְאֵתand —הַגִּרְגָּשִׁי׃the Girgashite

פָּסוּק כט

Pasuk 29

וְאֶתand —הַחִוִּיthe Hivitesוְאֶתand —הַעַרְקִיthe Arkitesוְאֶתand —הַסִּינִי׃the Sinites

פָּסוּק ל

Pasuk 30

וְאֶתand —הָאַרְוָדִיthe Arvaditeוְאֶתand —הַצְּמָרִיthe Zemariteוְאֶתand —הַחֲמָתִיthe Hamathiteוְאַחַרand afterwardנָפֹצוּspread outמִשְׁפְּחוֹתthe families ofהַכְּנַעֲנִי׃the Canaanite

רַשִׁ״י

ואחרAnd afterwardsנפוצו.were spread abroadמֵאֵלֶּהfrom theseנָפוֹצוּwere spreadמִשְׁפָּחוֹתfamiliesהַרְבֵּה:many

פָּסוּק לא

Pasuk 31

וַיְהִיAnd it wasגְּבוּלthe boundary ofהַכְּנַעֲנִיthe Canaaniteמִצִּידֹןfrom Tzidonבֹּאֲכָהas you comeגְרָרָהto GerarעַדuntilעַזָּהAzzahבֹּאֲכָהas you comeסְדֹמָהto Sedomוַעֲמֹרָהand Amorahוְאַדְמָהand Admahוּצְבֹיִםand Tzevoyimעַדuntilלָשַׁע׃Lasha

רַשִׁ״י

גבולThe boundary ofהכנעני.the Canaaniteסוֹףthe end ofאַרְצוֹ.his landכָּלeveryגְּבוּלboundaryלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofסוֹףendוְקָצֶה:and extremity

רַשִׁ״י

באכה.as thou comestשֵׁםa nounדָּבָר.·וְלִיand to meנִרְאֶהit seemsכְּאָדָםlike a personהָאוֹמֵרwho saysלַחֲבֵרוֹ,to his fellowגְּבוּלboundaryזֶהthisמַגִּיעַreachesעַדuntilאֲשֶׁרthatתָּבֹאyou comeלִגְבוּלto the boundary ofפְּלוֹנִי:so and so

פָּסוּק לב

Pasuk 32

אֵלֶּהThese areבְנֵיthe sons ofחָםChamלְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָםaccording to their familiesלִלְשֹׁנֹתָםaccording to their languagesבְּאַרְצֹתָםin their landsבְּגוֹיֵהֶם׃by their nations

רַשִׁ״י

ללשונותםafter their tonguesבארצותם.in their landsאַעַ"פִּeven thoughשֶׁנֶּחְלְקוּthat they dividedלִלְשׁוֹנוֹתinto tonguesוַאֲרָצוֹת,and landsכֻּלָּםall of themבְּנֵיsons ofחָםChamהֵם:they are

פָּסוּק לג

Pasuk 33

וּלְשֵׁםAnd to Shemיֻלַּדwere bornגַּםalsoהוּאhimאֲבִיthe father ofכָּלallבְּנֵיthe children ofעֵבֶרEverאֲחִיthe brother ofיֶפֶתYephethהַגָּדוֹל׃the elder

רַשִׁ״י

אביThe father ofכלallבניthe children ofעבר.the side ofהַנָּהָרthe Riverהָיָהwasשֵׁם:Shem

רַשִׁ״י

אחיthe brother ofיפתYaphethהגדול.the elderאֵינִיI do notיוֹדֵעַknowאִםifיֶפֶתYapheth wasהַגָּדוֹלthe elderאִםor ifשֵׁם,Shemכְּשֶׁהוּאwhen itאוֹמֵרsaysשֵׁםShem wasבֶּןa son ofמְאַתone hundredשָׁנָהyearsוְגוֹ'etc.שְׁנָתַיִםtwo yearsאַחַרafterהַמַּבּוּל,the floodהֱוֵיbeholdאוֹמֵרit saysיֶפֶתYapheth wasהַגָּדוֹל,the elderשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdבֶּןa son ofת"קfive hundredשָׁנָהyearsהָיָהwasנֹחַNoachכְּשֶׁהִתְחִילwhen he beganלְהוֹלִיד,to father childrenוְהַמַּבּוּלand the floodהָיָהwasבִּשְׁנַתin the year ofשֵׁשׁsixמֵאוֹתhundredשָׁנָה,yearsנִמְצָאit is foundשֶׁהַגָּדוֹלthat the eldestבְּבָנָיוof his sonsהָיָהwasבֶןa son ofמֵאָהone hundredשָׁנָה,yearsוְשֵׁםand Shemלֹאdid notהִגִּיעreachלְמֵאָהto one hundredעַדuntilשְׁנָתַיִםtwo yearsאַחַרafterהַמַּבּוּל:the flood

רַשִׁ״י

אחיthe brother ofיפת.Yaphethוְלֹאand notאֲחִיthe brother ofחָם?Chamשֶׁאֵלּוּfor theseשְׁנֵיהֶםtwo of themכִּבְּדוּhonoredאֶת—אֲבִיהֶם,their fatherוְזֶהand this oneבִּזָּהוּ:shamed him

פָּסוּק לד

Pasuk 34

בְּנֵיThe sons ofשֵׁםShemעֵילָםElamוְאַשּׁוּרand Asshurוְאַרְפַּכְשַׁדand Arpachshadוְלוּדand Ludוַאֲרָם׃and Aram

פָּסוּק לה

Pasuk 35

וּבְנֵיAnd the sons ofאֲרָםAramעוּץUzוְחוּלand Hulוְגֶתֶרand Getherוָמַשׁ׃and Mash

פָּסוּק לו

Pasuk 36

וְאַרְפַּכְשַׁדAnd Arpachshadיָלַדbegotאֶת—שָׁלַחShelahוְשֶׁלַחand Shelahיָלַדbegotאֶת—עֵבֶר׃Eber

פָּסוּק לז

Pasuk 37

וּלְעֵבֶרAnd to Everיֻלַּדwere bornשְׁנֵיtwoבָנִיםsonsשֵׁםthe name ofהָאֶחָדthe firstפֶּלֶגwas Pelegכִּיforבְיָמָיוin his daysנִפְלְגָהwas dividedהָאָרֶץthe earthוְשֵׁםand the name ofאָחִיוhis brotherיָקְטָן׃was Yoktan

רַשִׁ״י

נפלגה.was dividedנִתְבַּלְבְּלוּwere confoundedהַלְּשׁוֹנוֹתthe languagesוְנָפוֹצוּand they scatteredמִןfromהַבִּקְעָהthe valleyוְנִתְפַּלְּגוּand they dispersedבְכָלin allהָעוֹלָם.the worldלָמַדְנוּwe learnשֶׁהָיָהthat wasעֵבֶרEverנָבִיא,a prophetשֶׁקָּרָאfor he calledשֵׁםthe name ofבְּנוֹhis sonעַלuponשֵׁםthe name ofהֶעָתִיד;the futureוְשָׁנִינוּand we learnedבְסֵדֶרin SederעוֹלָםOlamשֶׁבְּסוֹףthat at the end ofיָמָיוhis daysנִתְפַּלְּגוּ,they dispersedשֶׁאִ"תֹּfor if you sayבִּתְחִלַּתat the beginning ofיָמָיו,his daysהֲרֵיbeholdיָקְטָןYoktanאָחִיוhis brotherצָעִירwas youngerמִמֶּנּוּthan himוְהוֹלִידand he begotכַּמָּהseveralמִשְׁפָּחוֹתfamiliesקֹדֶםbeforeלָכֵן,thisשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidוְיָקְטָןand Yoktanיָלַדbegotוְגוֹ'etc.וְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatוַיְהִיand it wasכָלallהָאָרֶץthe earthוְגוֹ';etc.וְאִ"תֹּand if you sayבְּאֶמְצַעin the middle ofיָמָיו,his daysלֹאnotבָאcameהַכָּתוּבthe verseלִסְתֹּםto obscureאֶלָּאbutלְפָרֵשׁ,to clarifyהָאthusלָמַדְתָּyou learnשֶׁבִּשְׁנַתthat in the year ofמוֹתthe death ofפֶּלֶגPelegנִתְפַּלְּגוּ:they dispersed

רַשִׁ״י

ויקטן.And Joktanשֶׁהָיָהbecause he wasעָנָוhumbleוּמַקְטִיןand made smallעַצְמוֹ,himselfלְכָךְthereforeזָכָהhe meritedלְהַעֲמִידto establishכָּלallהַמִּשְׁפָּחוֹתthe familiesהַלָּלוּ:these

פָּסוּק לח

Pasuk 38

וְיָקְטָןAnd Yoktanיָלַדbegotאֶת—אַלְמוֹדָדAlmodadוְאֶתand —שָׁלֶףShelefוְאֶתand —חֲצַרְמָוֶתChatzarmavethוְאֶתand —יָרַח׃Yerach

רַשִׁ״י

חצרמות.Chatzarmavethעַלonשֵׁםthe name ofמְקוֹמוֹ,his placeדִּבְרֵיthe words ofאַגָּדָהAgadahב"רBereishis Rabbah:

פָּסוּק לט

Pasuk 39

וְאֶתand —הֲדוֹרָםHadoramוְאֶתand —אוּזָלUzalוְאֶתand —דִּקְלָה׃Diklah

פָּסוּק מ

Pasuk 40

וְאֶתand —עוֹבָלObalוְאֶתand —אֲבִימָאֵלAbimaelוְאֶתand —שְׁבָא׃Sheba

פָּסוּק מא

Pasuk 41

וְאֶתand —אוֹפִרOphirוְאֶתand —חֲוִילָהHavilahוְאֶתand —יוֹבָבJobabכָּלall ofאֵלֶּהtheseבְּנֵיthe sons ofיָקְטָן׃Joktan

פָּסוּק מב

Pasuk 42

וַיְהִיAnd it wasמוֹשָׁבָםtheir settlementמִמֵּשָׁאfrom Meshaבֹּאֲכָהas you goסְפָרָהtoward Sepharהַרthe mountain ofהַקֶּדֶם׃the east

פָּסוּק מג

Pasuk 43

אֵלֶּהThese areבְנֵיthe sons ofשֵׁםShemלְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָםaccording to their familiesלִלְשֹׁנֹתָםaccording to their languagesבְּאַרְצֹתָםin their landsלְגוֹיֵהֶם׃according to their nations

פָּסוּק מד

Pasuk 44

אֵלֶּהThese areמִשְׁפְּחֹתthe families ofבְּנֵיthe sons ofנֹחַNoachלְתוֹלְדֹתָםaccording to their generationsבְּגוֹיֵהֶםin their nationsוּמֵאֵלֶּהand from theseנִפְרְדוּwere separatedהַגּוֹיִםthe nationsבָּאָרֶץon the earthאַחַרafterהַמַּבּוּל׃the Flood

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah details Noach's planting of a vineyard, his subsequent drunkenness, and the contrasting behavior of his sons: Cham degrades him, while Shem and Yephes respectfully cover him. Upon sobering, Noach curses Canaan to servitude and blesses Shem and Yephes. The text then chronicles the genealogy of Noach's descendants, tracing the lineages of Japheth, Ham (including Nimrod's rise to power and the expansion of his kingdom), and Shem down to the division of the earth in the days of Peleg, establishing the foundations of the seventy nations.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

The Torah is showing us a powerful contrast in how people react when they see someone else in a state of vulnerability or disgrace. When Noach became drunk and lay uncovered, Ham saw his father's shame and immediately went outside to talk about it, spreading the news to others. But Shem and Japheth did the exact opposite. They took a garment, walked backward so they wouldn't look at their father's disgrace, and covered him with dignity.

This is a major yesod in our daily avodah. In life, we are constantly put in situations where we notice someone else's slip-up, their weakness, or their embarrassing moment. The yetzer hara immediately whispers to us to become like Ham, to look closely, to focus on the negativity, and to run "outside" to tell others, whether through lashon hara, a smirk, or just a juicy piece of gossip. We think we are just sharing information, but we are actually trampling on another person's dignity.

Shem and Japheth teach us the true Torah way. When you see someone else's vulnerability, you don't stare, and you don't talk about it. You "walk backward", you purposely avert your eyes, you protect their honor, and you find a way to cover them up and shield them from shame. This is not just about being polite; it is about having a refined neshama that refuses to feed on another Yid's embarrassment.

Today, when you hear a piece of gossip or notice someone making an embarrassing mistake, do not repeat it or dwell on it. Purposely turn your mind away, "walk backward" from the situation, and protect that person's dignity.