Parshat Noach
Parshat Noach
The Sages teach us that every world calamity is a continuation of the destruction of the Holy Temple (lo aleinu – may we not experience any world calamities). Regarding the Sages’ statement, I think the same is true concerning the sin of Adam and Eve. After they ate from the tree, everything got worse. Adam not only neglected to repair their mistake (I say “their” because man plus woman equals man, i.e. man is not man without woman), but he even went the opposite direction.
In this week’s Torah portion, we read the famous story of Noach and the ark. We might even regard this story fondly as the tale of a man who guided his family, along with giraffes, zebras and other animals onto a huge “boat-like” structure. We think of rainbows, floodwaters and everything in between. But this story is serious. And a common problem in modern-day Judaism is that, when it comes to the Torah; its stories, laws and customs, we seem to only know bits and pieces.
“And all flesh perished that moved upon the earth, both fowl, and cattle, and beast, and every swarming thing that swarmed upon the earth, and every man (7:21).”
From the time of Adam until the time of Noach, the world continuously declined in spirituality and was filled with deceit, robbery and promiscuity:
“And the earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence (6:11).”
Noach is referred to as a man that “walked with G-d.” He was someone who, regardless of his surroundings, stood for what he believed in. The whole world was against him but he still walked with G-d. Noach was the man who merited to help rebuild the world.
Rashi writes that if Noach had lived in Avraham’s generation, he wouldn’t have been regarded as great because Noach was too passive in his life. Although he was a righteous man, he did not make an active effort to bring others to repentance and consequently prevent the destruction of the world. Yes, Noach was strong in his beliefs, but Avraham had the courage and the will to fight for others. Avraham brought G-d into the world, while Noach passively “walked with G-d.” Noach is still deemed as righteous, however, because of his firm commitment to justice.
Sometimes we might be the only one that notices the injustice of a situation but we remain silent. We walk away and we don’t take anyone with us. Noach was righteous because he walked with G-d, but he would’ve been even more righteous if he brought others with him.
Before an Avraham can exist in the world, there must first be a Noach. We must acknowledge that each of us is an individual with unique thoughts, actions and methods of observance. Then we can feel like we can change the world. Only after we realize this, can there be an Avraham in the world, who not only walks with G-d but recruits others to join him. The world is a dark place, and it is our job to reveal light in the world. The first step is believing that we can.
Every sun sets to rise. Every winter, the world is reborn for spring. The rain falls and then we see rainbows, and we descend in order to ultimately ascend.
This week I will try to: be me, for me. To realize that I am an individual independent of the circumstances of my environment. I will try to acknowledge that I must find my inner Noach who connects with G-d, before I can be an Avraham who helps others connect to G-d. I will strive to be the biggest and best.
May we be blessed with the awareness of our potential and the ability to actualize it.
Shabbat Shalom!
The Sages teach us that every world calamity is a continuation of the destruction of the Holy Temple (lo aleinu – may we not experience any world calamities). Regarding the Sages’ statement, I think the same is true concerning the sin of Adam and Eve. After they ate from the tree, everything got worse. Adam not only neglected to repair their mistake (I say “their” because man plus woman equals man, i.e. man is not man without woman), but he even went the opposite direction.
In this week’s Torah portion, we read the famous story of Noach and the ark. We might even regard this story fondly as the tale of a man who guided his family, along with giraffes, zebras and other animals onto a huge “boat-like” structure. We think of rainbows, floodwaters and everything in between. But this story is serious. And a common problem in modern-day Judaism is that, when it comes to the Torah; its stories, laws and customs, we seem to only know bits and pieces.
“And all flesh perished that moved upon the earth, both fowl, and cattle, and beast, and every swarming thing that swarmed upon the earth, and every man (7:21).”
From the time of Adam until the time of Noach, the world continuously declined in spirituality and was filled with deceit, robbery and promiscuity:
“And the earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence (6:11).”
Noach is referred to as a man that “walked with G-d.” He was someone who, regardless of his surroundings, stood for what he believed in. The whole world was against him but he still walked with G-d. Noach was the man who merited to help rebuild the world.
Rashi writes that if Noach had lived in Avraham’s generation, he wouldn’t have been regarded as great because Noach was too passive in his life. Although he was a righteous man, he did not make an active effort to bring others to repentance and consequently prevent the destruction of the world. Yes, Noach was strong in his beliefs, but Avraham had the courage and the will to fight for others. Avraham brought G-d into the world, while Noach passively “walked with G-d.” Noach is still deemed as righteous, however, because of his firm commitment to justice.
Sometimes we might be the only one that notices the injustice of a situation but we remain silent. We walk away and we don’t take anyone with us. Noach was righteous because he walked with G-d, but he would’ve been even more righteous if he brought others with him.
Before an Avraham can exist in the world, there must first be a Noach. We must acknowledge that each of us is an individual with unique thoughts, actions and methods of observance. Then we can feel like we can change the world. Only after we realize this, can there be an Avraham in the world, who not only walks with G-d but recruits others to join him. The world is a dark place, and it is our job to reveal light in the world. The first step is believing that we can.
Every sun sets to rise. Every winter, the world is reborn for spring. The rain falls and then we see rainbows, and we descend in order to ultimately ascend.
This week I will try to: be me, for me. To realize that I am an individual independent of the circumstances of my environment. I will try to acknowledge that I must find my inner Noach who connects with G-d, before I can be an Avraham who helps others connect to G-d. I will strive to be the biggest and best.
May we be blessed with the awareness of our potential and the ability to actualize it.
Shabbat Shalom!
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