AN EXTRAORDINARY MAN FOR EXTRAORDINARY TIMES; UNSHAKABLE FAITH IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY
Noah(also known as Noach) is described as a righteous and correct man in his generation. He lived at a time when the world had become corrupt and wicked, the people had turned away from G-d and were engaged in all kinds of evil practices.
Noah, was a unique individual chosen by G-d to carry out an important mission. In a world dominated by corruption and wickedness, Noah stood out as a beacon of righteousness. He remained steadfast in his devotion to G-d even when those around him turned away.
“Even compared to the evil generation in which he lived, Noah was an extremely virtuous person. But if he had been in a generation of exceedingly good people, his goodness would have been even greater.” (a positive interpretation of Rashi on Bereishiet6:9)
However, this statement also implies that although Noah was considered righteous, he still had room to grow in his piety. This is a reminder that no one is perfect and that there is always room for personal development and spiritual growth.
Overall, this statement emphasizes Noah’s virtue and his devotion to good, even in difficult circumstances. It inspires us to hold fast to moral values and strive for justice even in our own time and society, even when the world around us seems to be different.
In this dark and tumultuous era, G-d had to intervene. He decided to bring about a global flood and wipe clean mankind’s sinful slate. Through this catastrophic event, G-d was able to give humanity a chance to start anew, rediscover the ways of justice, and return to His path.
A time when society’s moral compass resembled a malfunctioning GPS. Imagine a world where even a GPS would say, “Just stay where you are, I can’t navigate through this darkness!” It was as if everyone a tabloid loaded on his e-reader with lots of fancy distractions but no real content.
So let’s raise a l´chaim (or a grape juice for my non-drinking friends) to Noah, the unlikely hero.
“That for Israel the animals would remain pure, this indicates that Noah had practiced the Holy Doctrine before it was revealed on Mount Sinai.”
G-d did not want to destroy all of humanity. He recognized the righteousness in Noah and his family and chose them as the way through which the rebirth of mankind would take place. G-d instructed Noah to build an ark, a colossal safe place that would serve as a refuge from the approaching flood.
Noah diligently followed G-d ‘s instructions and gathered all kinds of animals into the ark, ensuring the survival of all species. In the midst of ridicule and disbelief from his fellow men, Noah remained resolute and trusted in G-d ‘s plan.
Noah grabbed a hammer and built a massive ship that made Elon Musk’s space efforts seem like child’s play (sorry, Elon). Even the animals rocked as if they knew a party cruise was about to set sail. Isn’t Noah great?
Now we have to give credit where it’s due. In the midst of all the chaos, Noah managed, or at least tried, to maintain the Righteous way of life. He had a good understanding of the “Sacred Teachings” and was already putting them into practice before it was officially revealed at Mount Sinai . So, in a sense, Noah was ahead of his time.
“Was there still time for the angry generation to repent? It took 40 days and 40 nights before this happened, G-d brought down the great Flood with mercy, not with destructive power.”
The great Flood purified the earth of all the corruption and wickedness that existed on it. After the forty days, the water finally began to subside, and the ark finally came to rest on Mount Ararat. Noah and his family were able to leave the ark and begin to rebuild the world.
When the water finally arrived, Noah and his family, along with the animals, were safe in the ark. They weathered the storm, symbolizing hope and renewal in the midst of the chaos around them. After forty days and forty nights, the water receded, and Noah, his family, and the animals emerged into a changed world.
G-d decided to destroy wickedness on earth by sending a great flood to cleanse it and start anew. However, G-d saw righteousness in Noah and ordered him to build an ark and gather two of all kinds of animals to bring the ark so that they would be saved from the flood.
“It lasted 40 days and 40 nights, then Noah made a burnt offering to G-d, and made a covenant with Him and the world that has been entrenched until now.”
After the flood subsided, Noah and his family came out of the ark and ended up making acovenantwith G-d. He promised that He would never again wash the evil from the earth by a flood and therefore He put a rainbow in the sky as a sign of this covenant.
The 7 Noahide laws are a way to be connected with our G-d, the Hebrew word for commandment is; mitsvah and has two words therein: mi (from) and ts’vah (connection) one meditates on a mitsvah and corrects himself in order to improve ones character traits and with that connects with the divine image of G-d in themselves.
This teaches us about righteousness, faithfulness, and obedience to G-d. Despite living in a corrupt society, Noah remained steadfast in his devotion to G-d and was rewarded for his righteousness.
With the conclusion of this covenant, Noah and his descendants were also given seven commandments, known as the Noahide laws. These laws include the prohibition of idolatry, serving and acknowledging only G-d, prohibition of murder and injury, prohibition of theft, prohibition of idolatry, and sexual immorality so that it all leads to a well-behaved society, justice is therefore required.
The covenant with Noah marked the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between G-d and the world. It reminded that G-d is both a G-d of light and a shield, that He will always be faithful to His promises.
By Efraim
Sources:
Chumash with Rashi comments, Rabbijn Samson Onderwijzer Dutch translation
Torah in Yiddish, translated by Yehoash-Shloyme Blumgarten
Noahide Academy of Israel, Master Noahide Theology
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