How did Noah take care of those lions

 From a Karaite perspective—which emphasizes the Peshat (literal, plain meaning) of the text—the logistical reality of the Ark is often reconciled by looking at what the text actually says versus the "hacked" traditions that have been added over time.

1. The Meat Requirement

A pair of adult African lions requires approximately 10 to 15 kg of meat daily to maintain health. Over a 370-day voyage (the full duration of the Flood), two lions would consume roughly 4,000 to 5,500 kg of meat.

• The Problem: Storing five tons of fresh meat without refrigeration is impossible.

• The Solution: Most literalist scholars (and ancient commentators) argue that Noah likely brought "fodder" animals—extra clean animals (sheep, goats, or cattle) specifically for the carnivores to eat. Since clean animals were taken by sevens (Genesis 7:2), there was a surplus available for food.

2. The Maintenance Paradox

Caring for lions involves more than food; it requires waste management and ventilation. Two lions produce about 1.5 tons of waste a year.

• The Karaite Insight: Karaites note that God commanded Noah to build the Ark with three decks and a window/opening (Tzohar) for light and air (Genesis 6:16). This indicates a functional, physical structure designed for survival, not a magical box.

3. What This Tells Us About the Story

To the critical eye, these numbers suggest the story is a "recycled myth" or an impossibility. However, to the Karaite/Scripturalist, these logistical hurdles serve a specific purpose:

• Cooperation, Not Magic: God didn't "zap" the animals into stasis. He commanded Noah to work. The inclusion of carnivores proves that the Ark was a microcosm of the entire world, including the "dread and fear" of the animal kingdom.

• Limits of the Literal: Some argue the animals were younger (cubs), which would significantly reduce food intake and waste.

The Conclusion: If the Ark were "Magic," Noah wouldn't have needed a year to build it. The struggle to feed a lion tells us that the Ark was a trial of obedience and engineering, not just a supernatural event.