Who knows two hundred twelve?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point at least twenty-four hours from now, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on to the next number.
asked Mar 23, 2011 at 13:38
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2 Answers
The waters of the mabul were at least 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Source: Rav Chisda, Z'vachim 113:2.
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2But if they were "15 cubits above the highest mountains," wouldn't the temperature have been lower? The boiling point of water goes down by about 1 degree for every 500 feet of elevation.– AlexMar 23, 2011 at 17:59
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1I had thought of that. But presumably all the water was boiling, not only the top part of it. 212 is still not exact: presumably the weight of the top water would pressurize the bottom water enough to raise its boiling point, and anyway I don't know what the boiling point a very tall mass of water is (considering the varying pressure). Also I didn't take solution/suspension, which changes the boiling point (albeit slightly, considering how much water there was), into account. 212 is the best I could do. Any physicists?– msh210 ♦Mar 23, 2011 at 19:03
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1Checkmark for the interesting discussion, not for the inherently Jewish-212-ness of the fact.– Isaac Moses ♦Mar 24, 2011 at 13:55
צלפחד = 212
answered Mar 23, 2011 at 18:10
