Talmudic considerations of the biblical flood to ponder as the rain continues:
On the ark, precious stones as bright as the noon sun provided light. The sun rose in the west and set in the east. The water of the flood was as hot and thick as semen. Noah was engaged day and night feeding and caring for the animals and did not sleep for an entire year. The raven created problems–refusing to leave the ark when Noah sent it forth, accusing the patriarch of wishing to destroy its race and desiring its mate. Noah dismissed the accusation, pointing out that he hadn’t even slept with his own [human] wife. The lion caught a fever and lost its appetite for several months. The phoenix didn’t ask for food for fear of bothering Noah. Male ravens spit semen into the females’ mouths.
(Derived from Sanhedrin 108-Babylonian Talmud)
Sabbath Ways 