Noach Verses Avraham

There is an annual debate concerning Noach and Avraham Avinu as to who was greater. Generally, we emphasize that the Torah tells us that Noach was outstanding בדורותיו, in his generation. The Rabbis add that he was great in HIS generation but not so great had he lived in Avraham’s generation.

Rabbeinu Bechaye believed that Noach was an outstanding individual. The reason he did not pray for forgiveness for his people, is that he knew he would not find ten righteous , who were worthy of salvation.

Avrahame did not know if there were any righteous. This is why he asked if Hashem would still destroy the cities if he found ten. Noach knew there was only eight with himself and his three sons and their spouses. Therefore, there was no point in even trying.

Rabbeinu Bechaye felt that Noach was a complete Tzaddik who was humble and did everything for the sake of Heaven. And he was one of those rare individual who “walked with G-d.”

This is a little different approach to the Noach-Avraham controversy. Shabbat Shalom