Why does the Torah write that the rain was "on the earth"?
Ramban (to 7:23): To teach us that the water of the Flood fell only on land, but not on the sea. 1
Why does the Torah say here that "the rain was on the earth," and later (in 7:17) that "the Flood was on the earth"?
Rashi: Because, HaSh-m, in His mercy, first sent rain (Gishmei Berachah), to give them another chance to do Teshuvah; and when they didn't take the hint, it turned into a flood. 1
Also refer to 13:13:3.1:1.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "The forty days ended on 28 Kislev." Since the rain began on 17 Marcheshvan, it seems that it rained for 41 days?
Gur Aryeh: The rain stopped in the early morning of 28 Kislev. The order of the Pasuk is precise; it rained for forty days (17 Marcheshvan - 27 Kislev) and forty nights (18 Marcheshvan - 28 Kislev). 1
Rashi writes: "The forty days ended on 28 Kislev." Later on however, he writes (Rashi to 8:3) that the rain stopped on 27 Kislev?
Gur Aryeh: The rain stopped in the early morning of 28 Kislev. Since it did not rain during the day of 28 Kislev, Rashi counts that day towards the subsequent 150 days during which the waters persisted.
Rashi writes: "... on 28 Kislev according to Rebbi Eliezer." Why did Rashi choose to present the dates according to Rebbi Eliezer?
Gur Aryeh: Our Sages counted the months of the Flood from Tishrei, like Rebbi Eliezer (Rosh Hashanah 12b).
