Peace of Parsha- Parsha Noach: Dr. Laura Danoff

Peace of Parsha- Parsha Noach Dr. Laura Danoff

In Parsha Noach, Hashem says to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me…make for yourself an Ark….A window shall you make for the Ark and to a cubit finish it from above” (Bereishis 6:13-16) Why did G- d command Noah to make a tzohar (window) for the Ark? How much light could actually enter the ark while a catastrophic rainstorm was taking place outside the ark for forty days and forty nights? Rashi states there are two meanings for the word tzohar: it could mean a “window” or a “precious jewel that sheds light.” G-d was impressing upon Noah his responsibility to help mankind and have faith in G-d, a lesson he did not learn while building the Ark for 120 years. “Noah was a man righteous and wholehearted in his generation” (Bereishis 6:9) Noah resisted the path of his generation and became pure and righteous. But, some commentators say that he was absolutely righteous only when compared with others in his generation. Noah’s piety never transmitted to others. It is interesting to note that the word Noah in Hebrew means comfort or rest. The construction of the Ark that took 120 years should have enabled Noah to explain that because of the evil that was rampant, G-d was planning a flood that would destroy the entire world. Not one person decided to repent. Besides his family, there was no other individual who Noah had influenced who was worthy of accompanying him aboard the Ark. Noah never prayed outwardly for the world about to be destroyed. He feared for his own survival and since he viewed his evil neighbors at a distance, he was unable to see any possible goodness in them and therefore was not motivated to pray on their behalf. Abraham on the other hand was able to influence the most corrupt and evil people to return to G-d. Abraham understood Hashem’s ultimate goodness and compassion and how he gives each one of us, even the wicked, a chance to repent and do teshuvah. Hashem therefore wanted Noah to create “windows” to truly see the outside world and be sensitive to the pain and suffering of others. The window or “precious jewel” would actually illuminate his soul and help him better understand his responsibilities to his fellow man. According to Rashi, Noah and his family went into the ark, “because of the waters of the flood” (Genesis 7:7) meaning that Noah did not enter the Ark until the rising waters forced him to do so. There is no doubt that Noah was aware of Hashem and feared him. As it states in the Torah “Noah was righteous and walked with Hashem.” (Genesis 6:9). But, Noah was lacking in his belief and therefore was not successful in convincing others to repent.

Words do not have a significant effect unless they are spoken with sincerity and with belief in ones heart. The people sensed that Noah was not firm in his own belief and therefore did not listen. We don’t live in a vacuum. It is our position to not only help our families, and our community but to be a “light unto the nations.” We should all make windows in our lives and thereby create beautiful jewels and be sensitive to the needs of others.

This d’var torah is in honor of the birth of Sasha Gila, named in honor of 2 great women who shined light on our family with their caring personality and wisdom.May she continue in their path.

Shabbat Shalom!