בס "ד


The name of a Torah portion often expresses its content. Yet, at first glance, the name of our portion, Noah, appears to contradict its very essence. The portion deals mostly with devastating events—the Flood that swept the world and the sin and punishment of the Tower of Babel —while its name, Noah, signifies rest and tranquility. How can the name Noah—rest—be assigned to a portion whose entire subject matter is the opposite of rest?

The name Noah teaches us the inner meaning hidden behind those harsh events. While the Flood itself was certainly the opposite of peace and rest, it was precisely through them that true rest was achieved. The Flood purified the earth and created a world infinitely better than the one that preceded it. When Noah emerged from the Ark, he “saw a new world.” This was a world elevated in its spiritual standing. Therefore, ultimately, the waters of the Flood were truly waters that finally brought forth rest and renewal.

The Torah portion of Noah contains many elements directly related to Bnei Noah. The Torah describes Noah’s emergence from the Ark and the re-establishment of the G-d’s covenant with all humanity. This covenant forms the cornerstone for the fulfillment of the Seven Noahide Commandments. G-d commanded Noah and his sons to release all the living creatures from the ark, and enable them “to be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth” (Genesis 8:17). The Rainbow that appeared after the flood, symbolizes the universal covenant between G-d and all flesh.

Upon leaving the Ark, Noah built an altar and offered sacrifices. Bnei Noah are permitted to offer burnt offerings from pure animals out of gratitude to the Creator. Although this practice is not recommended today, due to the special expertise required to implement it, it signifies the right of Bnei Noah to serve the Creator through sacrifices as well.

Noah was given an additional commandment that expands upon the six that Adam received (prohibitions against idolatry, blasphemy, murder, forbidden sexual relations, theft, and the establishment of a system of justice). The last command given to Noah is the prohibition against eating a limb from a live animal. This prohibition completes the count of the Seven Noahide Commandments.

Eventually the flood waters brought rest and renewal to the world. The life sustained within Noah’s Ark serves as a microcosm of the Messianic Era. Inside the Ark, the ordinary conflicts of nature were suspended: predator and prey coexisted not just without violence, but in perfect harmony and submission to the single Divine command. There was no hatred, no agony, and no struggle for survival. This environment foreshadows the future redemption, where the physical world itself will be elevated to a higher state of a universal thirst to know G-d.

Di Rabbi Moshe Bernstein

Source: Genesis 9:13. Genesis 8:15 – 9:17. Likutei Sichos vol. 20 page 285. Sheva Mitzvot Hashem by Rabbi Moshe Wiener chapter 7.



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