Midrash su Genesi 6:22

(Gen. 6, 9) Noah was a just, perfect man in his generation; according to R. Jochanan in his generation, but not in others [among more righteous]. And according to Resh Lakish: In his generation [among the wicked], so much the more in other generations. "R. Jochanan's theory," remarked R. Chanina, "should be likened unto the following parable: If a barrel of wine is placed among barrels of vinegar, in that place, the good smell of wine is marked, which would not be the case if placed among other barrels of wine." R. Oshia said: "Resh Lakish's theory may be likened unto the following parable: If a glass of perfume is placed in a filthy place, and its odor is marked, how much more would it be marked if it were placed among spices?" (Gen. 7, 23) And it swept off etc. If man sinned, what were the sins of the animals? We are taught in the name of R. Joshua b. Karcha: "This is similar to one who made a canopy for his son, and prepared all kinds of delicacies for the wedding-meal, but his son died before the wedding and he destroyed all that he prepared, remarking: 'All this was done only because of my son; now, as he is dead, for what purpose do I need the canopy and all that I prepared?' So the Holy One, praised be He! said: 'For what purpose have I created cattle and beast, only for the sake of man; now, when man has sinned and is to be destroyed, for what purpose do I need all other creatures'?" (Gen. 6, 22) All that were on dry land died, but not the fish in the sea. R. Jose of Caesareau lectured: "What is the meaning of the passage (Job 24, 18) Swift are such men (to flee) on the face of the water; accursed is their field on the land, i.e., infer from this that Noah, the upright, warned them, saying: 'Repent and pray to God, for if not, the Holy One, praised be He! will bring the flood upon you and will make your corpses swim upon the water like leather bags [filled with air]; and not only this, but ye will be accursed to future generations.' And they answered: 'Who prevents him from doing so?' And he said: 'There is one pigeon (Methushalech) among ye which must be taken away' [before the evil takes place]. And they answered: (Ib. b) 'If it is so, then we will continue on our way and will not hide ourselves in the vineyards'.'"