And all the congregation drew near and they stood before G-d. (9:5)
Question: It could simply have said that they congregated before G-d. Why does the verse use the separate expressions, "they drew near" and, "they stood"?
Answer: In the instructions at the beginning of the morning prayer it is written, "It is proper to say before prayer: 'I hereby take upon myself to fulfill the commandment of loving your fellow as yourself.' Perhaps our verse is a hint for this custom.
The Talmud1 says that the expression standing can be a reference to prayer as it is stated, "And Pinchas stood up and prayed."2 The verse is telling us that first, the entire community became closer to each other by showing unity for one another -- and then they were ready to stand, that is, pray, "before G-d."
Every raven according to its kind.... (11:15)
Question: Why is the raven forbidden to be eaten while the dove is kosher?
Answer: When the waters of the flood receded, Noah selected the raven to search for dry land. The raven accused Noah, "Your Master hates me and you hate me. Your Master hates me, for from the clean animals and birds he permitted seven to enter the ark and from the unclean, only two. You hate me because if I fail to return from my mission, my mate will be alone and our species will die out."3 Superficially, the raven was right. If so, why is it universally despised as the symbol of heartlessness and cruelty?
When the raven left the ark instead of carrying out the mission assigned to him, he began to search for flesh to satisfy his appetite. He detected a floating carcass and devoured it. While everyone in the ark was waiting anxiously for his report, the raven was busy stuffing himself with the flesh of flood victims.4 Since he forgot about his companions in the ark, and his eloquent statements about G-d and Noah were obviously insincere, he is consequently identified with selfishness and betrayal.
Afterwards, Noah sent the dove, who consented without protest. She did not permit her personal interest and desires to interfere with her mission, and ultimately she returned with an olive leaf in her mouth, bringing good tidings to all those in the ark.
What we eat has an effect on our character; consequently, the selfish, heartless, and false raven is not kosher for our consumption, but the modest and compassionate dove is.
"And the ostrich..." (11:16)
Question: The verse says "daughter of the ostrich." Why does it specify "daughter" when all ostriches are forbidden?
Answer: Ostriches live on hard and sharp grass. When they do not find enough food, they eat bones, iron, and glass. Our sages5 say that Noah took glass into the ark so that he would have food for the ostrich. The Ibn Ezra6 writes that since the ostrich eats such items, its meat becomes dry like wood and hard like steel, and even cooking does not soften it. However, the meat of a baby female ostrich is still soft and tender. Therefore, the Torah warns specifically against eating the baby female ostrich.
"And the stork..." (11:19)
Question: The famed commenter Rashi writes she is called "kind" in the verse because she shares her food with her friends.
The animals and birds that are forbidden to the Jews to eat possess bad character traits. What man eats has an effect on him; therefore, Torah forbade animals that would badly influence our character.7 Since the stork shares her food with her friends, it seems that she is good natured, so why should she be forbidden?
Answer: A person who is selective and helps only people that he likes, paying no attention to the needs of others, does not have a good character. Thus, the Torah forbids us to eat the stork so that we should not acquire her bad habits.
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