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.
Wrong Order?
When Noach was commanded to Build an Ark and bring every living thing into it, he was also told to take food into the ark to feed both Noach and the animals.
Commentators raise the question that the order in this verse seems to go against the general rule that one should first feed one’s animals and then oneself and one’s family. This rule is based on the words in the Shema:
“And I shall grant forage in your fields for your animals, and you will eat and be satisfied.”
First it mentions that the forage is for “your animals” and then “you will eat.”
Why then did G-d tell Noach to feed himself first and then everything else?
Don’t Forget Yourself
One simple answer is that Noach had the immense responsibility of feeding an entire Ark filled with every imaginable creature on earth. If Noach would have first fed every animal, he would have barely found time to eat, in which case he would have been so weakened as to prevent him from doing his job.
The obvious lesson from this is that with all the emphasis in Judaism on selfless devotion to the material and spiritual needs of others, we must not forget ourselves. Not because we are necessarily more important than others, but, often, the only way we can help others is to be taken care of ourselves. A person who is physically or spiritually famished can rarely be of great support to someone who is hungry. Every time they make an announcement on a plane to put on your own gas mask before helping others, this idea coms to mind.
This reversal of order is testament to the sophisticated level of morality the Torah wishes to convey. If not for the express command in this instance to feed his family first and then the animals they would have naturally gravitated to taking care of the animals first. Self-centered people do not have to be told to take of themselves first.
Feeding the Internal Animal
There can also be a deeper reason for Noach being told to feed himself before the animals. The animal is often used as a metaphor for the animal soul within us. While we are in possession of a G-dly soul, we have to remember that we also have an animal soul. Indeed, the animal soul enters our bodies and sustains us from the moment we are born. Our G-dly souls, by contrast, do not fully manifest themselves within us until our Bas or Bar Mitzvah.
And even after we are in possession of our G-dly soul at the time of Bas and Bar Mitzvah, our animal soul is much more at home in our lives. After all, 12 or 13 years of coexistence with someone makes this individual a familiar and non-threatening presence. The G-dly soul is the “new kid on the block” and can feel like an intruder into our lives.
Now, the difference between the animal and G-dly soul is that the animal soul is interested in itself, in self-preservation, whereas the G-dly soul is interested in G-d and being of service to others. In simple terms: The animal soul is selfish; the G-dly soul selfless.
When we want to do something positive, the G-dly soul is excited and the animal soul feels uncomfortable. This realization may lead us to reach untenable conclusions:
We may entertain the thought that we have to shun the animal soul and its instincts and drives in order to follow the dictates of the G-dly soul. Alternatively, we may feel that we must wait until the G-dly soul becomes stronger and feels more like a resident in our lives than an unwanted guest, before doing certain positive acts. Why rock the boat when you don’t have a life-saver and you can’t swim.
The problem with the latter approach is that without doing good things, even if it is only for ulterior motives, we will never get the G- dly soul to amount to anything in our life. It will always remain a lonely outsider with no clout. If you don’t take the plunge you may never learn how to swim.
Likewise the former approach is wrong. G-d does not want us to shun our animal soul; He wants us to get the animal soul to get excited about doing good, even if the animal soul does it for selfish reasons.
Moreover, G-d loves animals also. He created them and He wants us to treat them well. This goes for the animal in us. To be sure, G- d would love for us to be able to do everything with the most noble of intentions, thereby expressing our G-dly nature. But, to achieve that we must first start with our animal nature; feed it with spiritual nourishment.
The Ark was the Exception: Paradise on Earth
While this is true in general, there are some notable exceptions. When Noach was in the ark, it was analogous to Paradise, where all of G-d’s creations co-existed harmoniously. The year Noach and his family spent in the Ark is a metaphor for existing in a totally spiritual environment. In such an environment, the G- dly element is most pronounced and we do not have to focus on the animal within ourselves first. We could go straight to the top, nurture the G-dly soul, and then with the “trickle down” effect, our animal souls will also feel uplifted and refined.
We Are Not Schizophrenic
We are currently living in the transitional age, between exile and Redemption. One part of us, affected by the desensitizing conditions of exile, is grossly animalistic.
Paradoxically, because we are living so close to the dawn of a new spiritual age, we are also witness to an opposite phenomenon, a spiritual renaissance. Sometimes we gravitate towards the animal and sometimes we feel inspired to go in the direction of the G-dly. We are not schizophrenic.
We are products of living in a unique age that is the bridge between the dark past and the radiant future. When the animal in us is undernourished and hungry, by all means feed it. Don’t neglect it. Get it excited about Judaism for its own unsophisticated reasons.
Don’t hesitate to do good things even for the most ulterior of motives.
But when you feel inspired, don’t hesitate to let your soul soar. By all means nurture the G-dly soul within you by studying the Mystical texts of Judaism, Kosher meditation and other spiritual pursuits. In this inspired atmosphere you don’t have to focus on your animal soul; feed your G-dly soul first. It will have a positive effect on your internal, animal as well.
This approach will certainly get us prepared for the imminent coming of Moshiach when all the mysteries of Creation will be revealed and our G-dly souls will bask in the infinite light of G-d. Our animal souls will then be uplifted and transformed.
From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Noach by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.
