English: “Tzohar” — R’ Yochanan said: The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Noach: Set in it precious stones and pearls so that they will give light for you as at midday.
On the daf / in context: The rare word “tzohar” is linked etymologically to “tzohorayim” (midday). Rather than a simple window of glass, R’ Yochanan understands it as luminous precious stones that would illuminate the interior of the ark throughout the Flood year.
Type of Learning
Custom (lexical derasha connecting tzohar to tzohorayim / illumination).
What Is Learned
The “tzohar” of the ark was (or included) precious stones and pearls that provided light equivalent to midday.