Parshas Noach (5769)

Bs”d
Parshas Noach (5769)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The greatest puzzle in the episode of the mabul is Noach’s weakness in belief of the pending storm leading to his hesitancy to enter the Ark until actually forced by the angry storm waters.  Most difficult to comprehend is that despite all his doubts why didn’t he enter the Ark; what was there to lose?

One of the most basic principles in our belief and understanding of Hashem is that He is completely “chesed”, kindness.  This is crystallized in His name.  This is the dominant way He reveals Himself to the world, it is therefore like a command for us to believe and understand Hashem in this way.  The idea of Hashem bringing destruction to mankind and life on earth was a complete contradiction.  Noach’s insight to the kindness of Hashem didn’t allow him to accept the prophecy of the mabul and was confident that Hashem would not carry it out and reverse at the last second.  Noach felt it was incumbent upon himself to demonstrate his unbending belief in Hashem’s kindness by refraining to enter until forced.

This enlightens us to recognize the awesome kindness of Hashem and to emulate Him.

Have a wonderful, significant Shabbos.