This week's Torah reading, describing the Great Flood in Noah's time, opens the door to complex theological debates: Divine Retribution/Divine Compassion, theodicy, etc.
I keep on struggling with those issues, but I've pretty much achieved a mental and spiritual equilibrium with them at this point in my life. My greater focus goes to the Chassidic explanation of Noah, as it pertains to each of us.
In our own ways, each of us is Noah, trying to survive life's turbulence and rushing waters. Sometimes, life itself threatens to submerge us.
To us, the 'Noah' in each of us, G-d says "come to the Ark (teivah in Hebrew)". The Ark will shelter us. Even more, the ark transforms the water into a [conceptually] positive force. How? Think about it. Once I'm in that Ark, I rise higher with each rush of water.
What is this 'Ark' in my life? The words of substance, of Torah, of prayer, of prioritization and focus. These words - and the ideas they convey - buffer me, cocoon me, and shelter me from the world's harshness and force.
To us, the 'Noah' in each of us, G-d says "come to the Ark (teivah in Hebrew)". The Ark will shelter us. Even more, the ark transforms the water into a [conceptually] positive force. How? Think about it. Once I'm in that Ark, I rise higher with each rush of water.
What is this 'Ark' in my life? The words of substance, of Torah, of prayer, of prioritization and focus. These words - and the ideas they convey - buffer me, cocoon me, and shelter me from the world's harshness and force.
In Hebrew, the word Teivah - meaning Ark - also means 'word'.
So, G-d tells us - Noah - to "come to the word".
When you get up in the morning, Noah, spend some time immersing yourself in meaningful words, thinking about your destiny and G-d's desire in your purposeful day. You have a mission to make the world a better place, and you've been equipped to do it. Come to the word. It will more than shelter you; life's challenges will become learning exercises, making you a stronger human being. Lifting you higher.
Shabbat Shalom
Shabbat Shalom