Thursday, Mar-Cheshvan 4 5784 / October 19, 2023

This month is called Mar-Cheshvan.  There are two reasons why “Mar” is added to the name Cheshvan.  “Mar” means a “drop.”   Because Cheshvan, is the month when the rains begin to fall in Israel. Thus, “Mar” (rain drops) is added to the name Cheshvan.

Another reason: “Mar” also means “bitter.”   Coming from the month of Tishrei which has many holidays (Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hoshana Raba, Shmini Atzeret & Simchat Torah) the month of Cheshvan, which has no holidays, feels spiritually bitter.  Although there are other months which have no holidays, the contrast from Tishrei to Cheshvan is felt much more, thus, the name “Mar-Cheshvan.”

The first Beth Hamikdash (Holy Temple) was completed this month by King Solomon. By G-dly decree the dedication was postponed for almost a year and was celebrated in Tishrei.  But, when Moshiach will come, Cheshvan will be compensated with great celebrations. May it be speedily in our days.

In the beginning of this week's Parsha, Noach, G-d commands Noach (Noah) to build an ark.  Noach builds the ark for 120 years.  The ark had three floors: a top floor for people; a middle floor for animals; and bottom floor for garbage. G-d then commands Noach to enter the ark.  On the 17th of Cheshvan, the Great Flood began. 

The Torah calls Noach a Tzaddik B'dorotav, "Righteous in his generation."  Based on this expression, the Rabbis debate whether Noach was only righteous compared to the wicked people in his generation or whether he would have been called righteous in the generation of Abraham, as well.

The prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 54) refers to the Great Flood as Mei Noach, "The waters of Noach", thus placing partial responsibility for the flood on Noach! How could a righteous person (Tzaddik) like Noach, who was saved from the Flood, be blamed for the Flood?

Our sages explain the apparent contradiction with the following parable:  Many people were sitting in a cold room.  Two of the people decided they couldn't stand it anymore.  One person went and put on his fur coat.  Although he was now comfortable, everyone else was still freezing.  The other person decided to get wood and make a fire.  He not only warmed himself, but everyone else in the room too.

Abraham was like the second person. When G-d wanted to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorra, Abraham prayed to G-d to save the people of those cities.  But Noach was similar to the first person.  Noach was indeed righteous, but he didn't go out of his way to save the rest of his generation. He neither called people to repent nor prayed that G-d spare the people. Noach’s lack of concern is the reason the Great Flood is called, "The waters of Noach."

The lesson is obvious: It is not enough to be concerned only about our own needs.  We also have to do our best to help others, for we are responsible for each other.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

WITH SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL