Page 148 - BERESHIT

After the Flood, when the Ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat,
Noach sent the raven to look for dry land. The raven did not accede to be
his messenger. Rashi explains that the raven was worried over the future
of his spouse. Perhaps she would have no recourse than to mate with a
different species. Noach thereby sent the dove instead.

Hashem reinforced the raven’s refusal by telling Noach that the raven was
needed for a different task in the days of Eliyahu Hanavi. Why does
Noach send the raven and not wait for Hashem’s signal to leave the Ark?
Why does Noach continue by sending the dove? Even more puzzling, asks
the Sanzer Rebbe, is why couldn’t the raven carry out both missions?

Every person needs their friends; “Either a chavruta or death.” A chavruta
broadens the horizons of the mind and invigorates one with new life.
Besides the personal growth of each individual chavruta, there is a
tremendous power to the bond of unity created when learning with a
partner. With this force, one can build towers reaching up to the heavens.
Although their intentions were evil, the unity of the Era of the Dispersion
gave them great power and success, until Hashem mixed up their
languages.

This lack of unity is what caused the Flood. They grabbed each others’

money and their wives, acting as if they were theirs. This is why Noach

sent the raven to find dry land. The Hebrew word for raven ( ) is

similar to the word for a guarantor ( ). Noach wanted to demonstrate

the world’s need for solidarity and support by sending the on his

mission. Without unity, man would once more be swept away by the tidal

waves of unlawful impropriation. This is why he did not wait for Hashem

to tell him that it was time to leave the Ark.

This is also why the raven refused to do Noach’s bidding. He worried over