בס”ד
The Torah portion of Noah recounts the story of Noah and the flood, which emphasizes the need for a moral and just society. Following the flood, G-d established a covenant with Noah and his descendants, representing all of humanity, and gave 7 basic commandments to ensure the existence of the world. These precepts, the seven Noahide Laws, were given to create a better world aligned with the will of G-d and prevent the kind of corruption and violence that led to the flood.
The Noahide Laws are not merely rules but are tied to the Divine purpose of creation. They call on all people to recognize their shared responsibility to uphold morality, which preceded even the giving of the Torah. Many teachings in the Torah speak to non-Jews, even if they are not included in the Seven Noahide Laws. By living according to them, humanity fulfills the mission entrusted to both Jews and non-Jews at the giving of the Torah—to help create a world of goodness and kindness, a dwelling place for G-d.
The name “Noah” in Hebrew also means convenience. It teaches us the inner meaning hidden behind the turbulent and difficult events is a positive outcome at the end. While the flood was the opposite of rest and tranquility, it was precisely through these events that peace and spiritual rest ultimately emerged. The story of Noah reminds us that G-d did not want chaos to reign in the world. The Seven Noahide Laws are foundational, aiming to build a world where respect for life, property, justice, and faith prevail. This ensured that a person’s freedom to choose good includes the strength to prevail over animalistic desires.
The flood purified the earth and created a world far better than it had been before. The Midrash says that Noah “saw a new world when he left the ark.” It was a world elevated in its spiritual level, to the extent that G-d made an eternal covenant with him.” So, in the end, the floodwaters were indeed “the waters of Noah”—waters that brought rest.
The life challenges and obstacles that anyone experiences are parallel to the flood. Many people experience a private spiritual flood due to various circumstances and are trying to have some rest in their turbulent lives. The Torah teaches us that the Seven Noahide commandments are the cure for a more peaceful and meaningful life. They allow us to be aware of G-d presence in our daily lives and, in this way, to overcome the personal “flood” of life challenges.
Sources: Likutey Sichos vol. 20 page 285.
By Rabbi Moshe Bernstein
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