Noach and the tayva some Torah, some biology

Abstract

Everyone is familiar with the story of Noach and the tayva. The intent of this article is not to review the entire incident in depth, but to focus on those aspects that have biological overtones. However, for continuity in thought, the entire story is briefly summarized. Furthermore, it is understood that all the events in the story of the tayva were orchestrated and directed by HaShem. Any mention of a biological explanation for a specific event is not meant to suggest that it occurred by the lows of nature without Divine intervention. As Rabbi David Brown states, "It is recognized that the laws of nature were created by G·d at ma' ase b' rayshis and, in effect, represent His will. Even nissim are not completely contrary to the forces of nature. We find that when G-d performs nissim He still works through the mechanisms of nature."