Parashat Noach: Illuminating Darkness, Embracing New Beginnings (2019)

Hello everyone. I know this message comes very late, but I share it in the hope that this spark of Torah will bring a Refuah Sheleimah (complete healing) for my dear husband. I've been truly humbled this week discovering the Avodah (hard work) involved in putting on Tefillin daily. We often take for granted the spiritual efforts of others. This experience has deepened my appreciation and reinforced the importance of being grateful for our own unique blessings and obligations.

This brings to mind our Sages' teaching about Noach's Ark: it had a Tzohar – an opening. Rashi discusses whether this was a window or a brilliant diamond that illuminated the entire colossal Ark. This Tzohar provides a profound metaphor for life's challenges.

Tzohar and Tzarah: Light in Hardship

The Hebrew words Tzohar (diamond/light) and Tzarah (trouble/hardship) share the same letters. Often, when hardships (Tzarah) come our way, we question Hashem's purpose. We don't always realize that Hashem sends difficulties with an ultimate positive goal, though the answers may only be revealed much later.

• The Sukkah Incident: A boy was building his Sukkah on a high ladder when it swayed. He grabbed a metal bar from the wall, which then detached, sending him falling. His mother, watching in horror, ran inside to call for help, fearing the worst. When Hatzalah (emergency services) arrived, the boy was unharmed, having fallen onto a large pile of garbage and leaves that a non-Jewish worker, mistakenly or carelessly, had left behind earlier that day. The mother, who had been upset about the uncleaned pile, realized it had saved her son's life.

This teaches us that every Tzarah has its Tzohar – its ray of light. We may not see it at the moment, but Hashem is constantly sending us rays of hope, reminding us to trust that things will ultimately turn out for the best, even if we don't understand how.

New Beginnings: Choosing the Path (Bereshit & Noach)

Parashat Noach (and Bereishit generally) speaks of new beginnings. The Midrash reveals an intriguing pattern of choices at humanity's pivotal new beginnings:

• Generation of Enosh: After Adam, spiritual awakenings led to "Az Huchal Likro B'Shem Hashem" – "they began to call out/spread the Name of Hashem." This sounds positive, but "Huchal" also means "unholy" (Chulin). Sadly, this spiritual awakening devolved into idolatry, serving the moon, stars, and sun, bringing about humanity's downfall. They had the opportunity to strengthen Emunah (faith) but chose the opposite.

• Noach Exits the Ark: After the Flood, Noach emerged into a new world. His new beginning involved planting. Instead of planting wheat for sustenance, he planted a vineyard. Though a great Tzadik, perhaps after a year of confinement, he sought pleasure, leading to his unfortunate inebriation. This highlights a new beginning tainted by pursuit of Ta'avah (desire).

• Nimrod: He was a powerful, physically strong individual, who used his strength to establish a dictatorship of terror, becoming a murderer. His new beginning brought widespread violence and immorality.

• Tower of Babel: The generation of the Dispersion, learning from the Flood, wanted to build a society based on unity and solidarity. They decided to build a tower to prove their self-sufficiency, to challenge Hashem, claiming, "We are capable of doing it alone."

  • Building in a Valley: My father would ask: If they wanted to build high, why start in a valley? Because they were looking down at themselves, at their own interests. They sought to spread their fame, using simple bricks (new technology) to reach "eternal" heights.

  • Misplaced Solidarity: The Midrash states they would mourn a broken brick for seven days but wouldn't even look at a person who fell to their death. Their "unity" was based on shared power and technology, not on respect for the individual. This ultimately led to another downfall.

These new beginnings illustrate a crucial lesson: Every new opportunity presents a choice. It is our responsibility to decide whether to embark on the right path or the wrong one. We cannot accuse others or claim we were forced. We make the decisions.

Until Avraham Avinu comes to bring true light to the world, humanity continued a downward trend.

Have a wonderful Shabbos. I apologize for the late delivery, but I had the choice to either give up or send this short message, offering some food for thought. The world hasn't changed much, but each of us has the power to be a Tzohar, illuminating the world, bringing a small ray of hope and light through our actions. May Hashem grant us strength to continue, and may all who need Refuot and Yeshuot (healings and salvations) receive them speedily.