After building the תיבה as Hashem commanded, Noach is told that the flood will begin in 7 days (ז:ד). When the time comes to enter the תיבה the תורה relates:
(ז) וַיָּבֹא נֹחַ וּבָנָיו וְאִשְׁתּוֹ וּנְשֵׁי־בָנָיו אִתּוֹ אֶל־הַתֵּבָה מִפְּנֵי מֵי הַמַּבּוּל:
Rashi notes that the words "מִפְּנֵי מֵי הַמַּבּוּל" seem to imply that Noach literally fled the waters of the flood, that he waited until he was actually threatened by the rain and only then entered the תיבה with his family. Rashi presents the following reason for Noach’s delay:
"מפני מי המבול" - אף נח מקטני אמנה היה, מאמין ואינו מאמין שיבא המבול ולא נכנס לתיבה עד שדחקוהו המים:
How can we understand this Rashi? What does it mean that Noach is מקטני אמנה- what does he not have faith in? Does/how does this conflict with other views of Noach? (consider the Rashis in 6:9 and 7:1) Can this be resolved? Are there other interpretations for the words "מִפְּנֵי מֵי הַמַּבּוּל" ?
