Genesis 6:9–11:32
Parshat Noach
Noach opens with Noah, “a righteous man, perfect in his generations,” whom G-d commands to build an ark before the Flood. After the waters recede, G-d makes a covenant with humanity, sealed with the rainbow, and gives the laws that become the seven Noahide commandments. The portion closes with the Tower of Babel and the line of descendants that leads to Abram. Two questions run through it: what kind of righteousness Noah had, and what the ark means for us.
Essays
E-Lights Noach – Noach and the Bar Mitzvah Why did Noach, a tzadik, fail to influence even one person in 120 years? From obedience to empathy: the spiritual maturation of the soul. Parsha Noach – A Hamas-Less World By Divine providence, we are going to read the parsha of Noah at a time the Jewish people are engaged in a war against the evil… Parsha Noach – A Logical Flood and a Flood of Logic We are accustomed to the two categories of rationality and irrationality. In truth, there is a third category of Supra- rationality. This dimension informs our rationality and guides it in the right direction. Parsha Noach – A Piece of Peace Is Not Enough Peace comes in various forms. True peace is when they stem from a single source. Parsha Noach – Are You a Raven or a Dove? Personalities are not etched in stone. People can and do change. Never give up on a human being! Parsha Noach – Be Fruitful and Multiply Humans are the problem and they are the solution. We contribute to the realization of the Divine plan for the world by just showing up. We actually transform the world through utilizing the world’s resources to serve G-d. Parsha Noach – Eyes on the Goal There are two approaches to life: The first is to have a singular focus. The second is to accumulate a multitude of experiences. Even when following the second approach, we must never lose sight of the goal. Parsha Noach – From Generation to Generation A generation can be understood as a segment of time within each individual’s life. When we change our personality, focus etc. we have lived in several generations. We were created to live life to the fullest in each of these changes/generations, Parsha Noach – G-d Loves Animals G-d created animals and that includes the animal in us. This does not imply that we should allow the animal in us to dominate. It suggests that we allow the animal do contribute its passion to our spiritual growth. Parsha Noach – From Minimalist to Maximalist Noah was a minimalist and Abraham a maximalist. Both have a place in our lives. The minimalists do the right thing; the maximalists focus on what more and better they can do. Parsha Noach – In Your Face Praise of others is always a positive exercise. Praise enhances their overt qualities while it helps them to actualize their hidden traits. But even praise has its limits. Parsha Noach – It’s How You Drink! Imbibing alcohol has always been a societal scourge. However, the metaphor of drinking wine to elicit Divine secrets has always been the deeper reason for the role of wine in our religious rituals. Parsha Noach – Le’chaim Some people drink to forget; some drink to remember. Some drink for life. It is far better to live for life than to drink for it. When we say le’chaim-to life, we should emphasize the spirit of life than the life of spirits. Parsha Noach – Noach and Menachem: Easing and Comforting All forms of life exist within the human being. What we do with and to ourselves affects these elements. When our own moral lives are improved it removes the curses that exist within nature. Parsha Noach – Noach and the Fur Industry Question: Why was Noah, a most righteous man, not the first Jew? Answer: He was a Tzadik in a fur coat… Parsha Noach – Noach’s Ark and Haman’s Gallows Where evil sees opportunity to destroy, the forces of goodness see opportunity to save. Where evil sees decline, G-dly forces see the seeds of rebuilding. Parsha Noach – Rain and Shine Jerusalem is the most hotly contested place in the world. Yet it has no natural resources. It’s resource is its unparalleled balance of rain and shine; The fusion between the material and the spiritual Parsha Noach – The Elusive Fourth Son Kabbalah teaches three primary personality traits. They are all in need of the fourth dimension to seal their continuity and integrity. Parsha Noach – The New World Order Our goal in life is to enter the “Ark” as did Noah. This ark, the symbol of utopia is within reach! Parsha Noach – The Three Tiers of Torah and Prayer In troubled times we seek refuge in entertainment. Torah and Tefilah (prayer) are the ultimate refuge because they can relate to us on every level. Parsha Noach – The Waters from Above and Below We are influenced by spiritual energy that comes from within and without. The ultimate goal is to internalize the external influences that they become an integral part of our consciousness. Parsha Noach – The Waters of Noach Empathy is a G-d given gift can prevent the world’s degeneration and a cure for societal ills. Noah lacked this gift. It was given to us in generous measure at Mount Sinai. Let’s use it! Parsha Noach – Two Beginnings The Torah begins with the story of Creation. But, the real beginning is the story of the flood. The flood represents a paradigm shift of the Messianic Age. The entire world will be deluged with positive G-dly energy. Parsha Noach – Who Eats First? We have a win-win situation when we our G- dly soul’s altruism and selfless attitude partners with our Animal soul’s selfish motives in doing good.