Parshas Noach
Resilience is Key
The parsha of Noach is a frightening one for it illustrates to us the
possibility of human life, as we know it, to self-destruct. One need only
think of the madmen controlling North Korea and Iran to realize that the
apocalypse is not a figure of theory or imagination. Noach’s world is
destroyed before his very eyes. God’s promise regarding floods and ice
ages not recurring in such a cataclysmic fashion is, according to the
rabbis, limited to only the destruction of the world by water. It does not
address other forms of potential disaster.
Noach’s world was one of greed, oppression, financial and physical
corruption and unbridled sexual excess and licentiousness. Well,
tragically and unfortunately, our world also resembles such a state of
human affairs. Noach is apparently unable to cope with his world. He
builds his protective ark and rides out the storm. But understandably he
is traumatized by the event. Though he lives to see the world rebuilt, he
is never able to forget the destruction that he witnessed.
Noach, so to speak, does not move on from the events of the flood. All of
his previous years of effort in building the ark and obeying God’s
commandment are seemingly wasted because of his inability to capitalize on
his miraculous survival. Though he survives, he is also a victim of that
flood. This explains, in a way, his strange decision to plant a vineyard,
harvest the grapes and then himself become drunk on the resultant wine.
Rashi already comments on the foolishness of his decision to do so. But it
is his inability to move past the trauma that drives him to behave thusly
and like many another human being, he drowns his inner sorrows in alcohol
and wine.
The test of life always is the ability to move on with life and not be
destroyed by the traumatic events that we witness and experience. The
rabbis of the Mishna compliment our father Avraham on his ability to do so
ten times in his lifetime. Wallowing in drink to soothe past troubles has
never been a Jewish characteristic. Perhaps that is why Jews begin their
ancestry with Avraham and not with Noach.
Our generations have witnessed awful events and tragedies. The resilience
of the Jewish people in rising from those events and experiences has been
the hallmark of our survival throughout the ages. This resilience is based
upon a pride in our special mission of being a unique people – a kingdom
of priests and a holy nation. Without this ingredient of pride, self-
worth, and holiness of mission we would never have been able to survive
and prosper as we have done over the ages.
Other peoples have suffered destruction and even genocide. But they have
never recovered from that trauma. Like Noach they could not restore
themselves to their former position and greatness. Thus they became the
true victims of the flood that engulfed them. In a strange way, the story
of Noach repeats itself in all generations. It is Avraham’s example that
we are bidden to follow. To build and produce and be forward looking is
the Jewish response to the waters of the floods that constantly threaten
to engulf us.
Shabat shalom.
Rabbi Berel Wein
Rabbi Berel Wein- Jewish historian, author and international lecturer offers a complete selection of CDs, audio tapes, video tapes, DVDs, and books on Jewish history at www.rabbiwein.com
Text Copyright © 2006 by Rabbi Berel Wein and Torah.org
Visit www.rabbiwein.com for a complete selection of Rabbi Wein's books and tapes.
