Our Gemara on Amud Beis notes that in the linguistics of the biblical text, there are times where the word for wild animal (chaya) can also be connoted within the word for domesticated cattle (bahema). And, of course, based on context, there are times where the words chaya and bahema are more specific and limited to wild animal versus domesticated cattle.

In the story of the flood we find discrepant verses that refer to the animals which were brought into the Ark. In Bereishis (7:8) the animals that were brought into the Ark are described as “kosher and non-kosher beasts (baheima).” From the context, it’s clear that wild animals are being included because otherwise how would they have been saved? However, the status of the animals in the Ark while they were there during the flood is described as “every wild animal to its kind, and every beast to its kind (ibid 12-13).” Why is there no distinction made between wild animals and domesticated beast when they are entering the Ark, and yet during their existence within the Ark as refugees of the flood, a distinction is made?

Ha’amek Davar explains (7:14) during moments of existential crisis, in the middle of the flood when all the creatures were being tossed and turned by the stormy waters, it was natural and was in their nature to be subdued. That is, it was not supernatural nor miraculous that the wild animals were docile because they were preoccupied and frightened. On the other hand, prior to the flood it was indeed miraculous that the wild animals behaved in a tame and domesticated manner so as to line up and enter the Ark in an orderly way. This is why the initial verses refer to the wild beasts and cattle in a synonymous manner because at that moment, it was miraculous for them to behave docilely. Later, during the flood, they also were docile, but that was within their own nature in order to survive. Therefore, they were described as wild beasts, because there was nothing unnatural about them at that time.

Related to this, Pardes Yosef (Bereishis 7:14) asks: The prophecies tell of a miraculous future (Yeshaiyahu 11:6): “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard lie down with the kid; The calf, the beast of prey, and the fatling together, With a little child to herd them.” But what is so remarkable and miraculous about this, the same thing occurred much earlier when the animals entered the Ark prior to the flood. We see that this potential is within their nature and not miraculous at all nor without precedent? He answers, it is true under existential threat wild beasts may be subdued. And even the more savage aspects of human nature might be temporarily quieted, if survival depends on unity and cooperation. However, that does not represent a deep internal change. The core savage and selfish instincts remain the same. Rather, there is simply a need to sublimate them temporarily in order to survive. It’s not altruistic, rather it’s logical and self-preservation.

Sometimes in life, when a person is faced with a crisis, he will sincerely reverse and overcome particular character traits and flaws. While admirable, it may not represent it to the core, but rather a reaction of necessity to survive, and still may involve the very same aggressive or selfish tendencies that are simply being redirected out of practicality. Not a bad thing necessarily, but not either a profound and deep change. This is why spouses might not be trusting or accepting when these changes occur.

However, unlike the beasts of the Ark, or the above crisis scenario we described, the miraculous change in messianic times will be a complete reprogramming of this savage nature, so that at its very core there won’t be a need for these aggressive elements. It won’t be in order just to survive, but rather a deep and natural coexistence of brotherhood and peace. This is a higher form of change which represents true redemption. The same kind can occur on the micro individual level where the person doesn’t just respond to the crisis, but undergoes a deep change within their nature, which is their own Exodus from the bondage of self and worship and enslavement to animal instincts.