Midrash Tanchumah Buber on Bereshit 6,9 Noah Advanced

Some interpret < the phrase > to his praise, and some interpret < it > to his shame, < i.e., > IN HIS GENERATIONS but not in other generations.

A parable (Mashal) : To what is the matter comparable?

If one should put a silver sela' (coin) among [a hundred] sela'im (coins) of copper, the one of silver would seem beautiful.

Thus Noah seemed righteous in the generation of the flood.

< Then > how do some interpret it to his praise?

< The situation is comparable > to a young woman who dwelt in the harlot (prostitute) district and remained pure (kasher). If she had been in a quarter where decent young women (kesehrot) < dwelled >, how much the more < would she have remained pure >.

< The situation > is like a jar of balsam (perfume)which was put in a tomb where its aroma was good.

If it had been in a house, how much better < would its aroma have been >

Answers the questions on the google doc:

What is the “difficulty” in the verse that the midrash is trying to solve?
What approach does the midrash take in trying to solve this “difficulty?”
Which metal is more expensive silver or copper?
What makes the silver coin appear attractive?
What is this image (of the silver coin inside the copper coins) is telling us about Noah?
What is the parallel to the grave in Noah’s story?
Explain in your own words the two possible readings of the expression “in his generation” relation to righteous
Define the terms: mashal and nimshal.

Reflection question:

Why do you think the negative metaphor in this parable uses the sense of sight (coins) while the positive metaphor uses the sense of smell (fragrance)?