FOR NOACH
GETTING OUT OF THE BOX
The news being reported from several countries around the world has become very disturbing. Each day, it seems, something horrible is happening. Whether it is a daily report of murderous slaughter of innocent people, or the panic of a plague-like disease ravaging tens of thousands, or other acts of violence committed by demented and deranged minds, influenced by twisted ideologies. There is certainly no shortage of bad news.
Other rifts and trouble stubbornly persist in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
The news in Israel continues to be alarming. A mere few weeks ago people around the world, yet again, ganged up against Israel, and by association, against the Jewish people. The familiar expectation is that Jewish blood should be free for anyone to spill. Violence continues to persist in that region. Just this week, a three-month old infant was murdered in broad daylight, as her parents were holding her following their first visit to the Western Wall.
It has not been this worrisome for a Jewish person since the eve of the Holocaust in the 1930’s. Anti-Semitism, clear and out in the open, is rearing its ugly head in Europe, and even in the streets of Miami, Los Angeles, and New York.
Most disturbing of all is the complete lack of leadership around the globe. No one seems to know what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. Leaders stumble and bumble along with neither a sense of a moral compass nor direction in all areas of life.
Is it all going down the drain? Should people worry that something terrible is ready to explode? Is it time to panic?
There was no one in history with more to worry about than the biblical Noah. As recorded in this week’s Torah portion carrying his name, Noah was informed by the Almighty Himself the Divine plan to destroy the world by water. To protect himself, his family, and other living creatures, he was instructed to, “Make for yourself an Ark of ‘gopher’ wood; make the Ark with compartments, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you should make it: three hundred cubits, the length of the Ark; fifty cubits its width; and thirty cubits its height…Put the entrance of the Ark on its side; make it with bottom, second and third decks.” (B’raishis (Genesis) 6:14-16.) According to the above measurements, each of its three stories was close to 34,000 square feet. Overall, this structure contained an impressive 101,000 square feet – all Divinely designed.
It took Noah 120 years to complete this mission, from the planting and growing of the wood, to the monumental task of construction. He had plenty of time to worry… Once this process was over and the Ark stood ready, Noah was instructed to lead his family into it. In addition, the animals, beasts, birds, and insects, “came to Noah into the Ark.” (7:15.) Noah was not expected to “recruit” these creatures. They simply all streamed towards him by Divine intuition.
After all this, Noah still had a tough time absorbing and imagining the flood be a reality. Many thoughts and emotions must have been going through his mind. The rains began, softly and naturally, giving a chance for the people to mend their ways. It was the rising water that convinced Noah to move into the Ark. As the Torah relates: “Noah… went into the Ark because of the waters of the flood.” (6:7.) Until the physical water was at his heels and he had no choice, Noah remained outside. This must have been tough for him.
Once Noah entered, though, the door closed automatically behind him. As the Torah states: “And G-d shut it [the door] on his behalf.” (7:16.)
Having been forced into the Ark with the door automatically sealed shut behind him, Noah was clearly not going to leave the premises without explicit Divine instruction. This came just over a year after the flood began: “G-d spoke to Noah saying, ‘Go out from the Ark; you and your wife… and every living being that is with you.’” Until this instruction, Noah stayed on board, despite what he saw outside the Ark. He had not placed himself in the Ark, and he was not going to leave it of his own accord, either.
Yet, Noah was anxious to discover what was happening. About a month before his eventual departure, he sent out a dove to reconnoiter. The dove returned having not found a dry spot. The second time, the dove returned with an olive branch. There was hope. On the third attempt, the dove did not return.
If Noah was not going to exit the Ark without Divine instruction, what was he thinking by sending the dove? It is doubtful that Noah was bored, due to the massive number of living creatures that constantly needed attention. Could he not have waited until he was told to leave?
Noah’s action provides an important and valuable lesson: While the Almighty chooses to run His world in the way He deems fit, He expects humans to do their part to their fullest capacity. One cannot sit and wait for things to happen on their own. Waiting for G-d to make things happen is laziness. That very G-d has asked people to be partners with Him.
The Almighty wants people to do their utmost. Only then can they expect – should the Almighty so desire – not just the intervention from the Almighty, but His blessing, too. Noah knew this well. His mission with the dove indicated how the doing of his part.
A handful of people have the ability to change the world. Most of earth’s inhabitants barely have the power to change anything. Yet, every single person on earth has the ability to do something. There is not a single person who cannot perform acts of goodness.
The Torah and the prophets have prophesied that the world will not contain evil for all time. There will come a time – and this era is already upon us – when the world will be changed for the best. In order to hasten this revelation, each individual can personally do something, or more than something, to contribute to bettering the world by changing his or her life for the better.
There is no time to worry, to panic, or to wring hands. If each person would send a “dove” out of their own “box,” the Almighty promises to complete the process, making this world infinitely better.
SUMMARY:There is no time for worry or panic. Each person contributing to the betterment of the world will make all the difference in, and to, the world.