[Avodah] . On Parashas Noach - from this week's MTA Parasha Publication

[saul mashbaum]

RYGBechhofer:
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The Sforno in Parashas Noach (8:22) suggests that prior to the Mabul there were no seasons. Rather, the Sun, relative to the Earth, constantly orbited at the Equator. The Earth was thus in a constant state of Springtime, the optimum condition for both vegetation and animal life to flourish, and for human beings to enjoy longevity...
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RYGB goes on to refute this Sforno from Avodah Zara 8a, and concludes "It is thus evident that the seasons existed already prior to the Mabul".

RGYB's refutation is indeed compelling, but RSRHirsch to Bereshit 8:22 cites R. Yitzchak in Bereshit Rabba 34:11 that before the flood, it was always spring "as between Pesach and Atzeret". Thus before the flood people were blessed with logevity and prosperity which did not continue after the flood. Apparently there were differernt traditions among chazal on this point.

The cited verse says that "...zera v'katzir, kor v'chom, kayitz v'choref, yom v'layla lo yishbotu".
RSRH makes the very interesting comment that each pair of the cited elements always exits simulteneously in the world: when it is day in one part of the world, it is night in another part;
when it is winter in one place, it is summer elsewhere, and the same with spring and autumn.

Saul Mashbaum