<td valign="top" width="50%">for it is written, The earth also was corrupt before God;1 <ref>Gen. VI, II</ref> and a Tanna of the School of R. Ishmael taught: Wherever corruption is mentioned, it must refer to immorality and idolatry.2 <ref>And once they were punished for these offences, they must first have been admonished against them.</ref> 'Immorality.' as it is written, for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.3 <ref>Ibid. 'Corrupted his way' connotes immorality; cf. the way of a man with a maid. Prov. XXX, 19.</ref> 'Idolatry,' for it is written, Lest ye corrupt yourselves and make you a graven image, etc.4 <ref>Deut. IV, 16.</ref> And the other teacher [who deduces this from the verse, and the Lord God commanded etc.]?5 <ref>How does he utilize this latter verse?</ref> He maintains that this verse [sc. the earth also etc.] merely describes their way of living.6 'Bloodshed', as it is written, Whoso sheddeth man's blood, etc.7 And the other?8 — This verse [he will maintain] merely teaches the manner of execution.9 Robbery, for it is written, As the wild herbs have I given you all things;10 upon which R. Levi commented: as the wild herbs, but not as the cultivated herbs.11 And the other?12 — He will hold that this verse is written to permit animal flesh,13 [but not to prohibit robbery]. Flesh cut from the living animal, as it is written, But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.14 And the other?15 — He may hold that this verse teaches that flesh cut from live reptiles is permitted.16 Emasculation, for it is written, Bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.17 And the other?18 — He may regard this merely as a blessing.19 Forbidden mixture, as it is said, Of fowls after their kind.20 And the other?21 — He will maintain that this was merely for the sake of mating.22 </td>