B"H

Thursday, Mar-Cheshvan 2, 5779 / October 11, 2018

Parshat Noach, which is read this Shabbat is the second Parsha in the Torah.  In the first Parsha of the Torah, Breishis, we are told about the story of the creation of the universe; the creation of Adam and Eve and about their descendants.  Breishis covers a span of ten generations. 

Parshat Noach also covers a span of ten generations – from Noach until Abraham.  In total, the two Parshiot cover a period of approximately 2000 years. 

Q.  There are 54 Parshiot in the entire Torah. If the first two Parshiot cover 2000 years, how many years are covered in the rest of the Torah?

A.  The remaining 52 Parshiot of the Torah, which focus on the story of the Jewish people, from the birth of Abraham to the passing of Moshe, covers a span of only 500 years.

Q. G-d made a promise that He will never bring such destruction again, as with the Great Flood. Torah means "teaching." What lessons can we derive from the story of the Great Flood in the Parsha?

A. Parshat Noach illustrates G-d's patience. Even when G-d decided to punish the people for their sins, He didn’t punish them right away. He extended His patience for 120 years.  He wanted Noach to go slow on building the ark, in order to give the people a chance to repent.

Another important lesson is the fact that although the people committed many sins against G-d, He punished them for the injustices they performed against their fellow humans as the Torah states, "And G-d said to Noah, the end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence.”

It also illustrates the importance of every individual. Noach was one person and it is due to his efforts that the world continued. All of mankind come from Noach and his wife.

The story of Noach teaches the importance of each individual. Each one has the power to elevate the universe or to degrade it physically and spiritually.  It was through Noach’s efforts that life was saved on the planet. It gives us an appreciation of the great responsibility G-d invested in each of us.

Q.  What was Noach’s wife’s name?    

A.  Na’ama. She is mentioned in Parshat Breishit.  Interestingly, her father’s name was “Lemech” and Noach’s father’s name was also “Lemech.” 

Q.   How much time did Noach, his family and all the animals spend in the ark?

A.   365 days.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Friday, Mar-Cheshvan 6, 5779 / October 15, 2018

In this week’s Parsha, Noach, we read about the great destruction which was brought about by the Great Flood. G-d commands Noach, “Make for you an ark of cedar wood. Make the ark into compartments and caulk it inside and outside with tar… I am bringing the flood waters on the earth to destroy all flesh in which there is a breath of life, everything on land will perish… And you shall go into the ark, you, your sons, your wife and your sons’ wives, with you. From all living things, from all flesh, two of each you shall bring to the ark, to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female.”

From the kosher animals Noach was commanded to bring seven of each. He was also commanded to bring food for them and all the animals in the ark. The Torah tells us, “And Noach did everything as he was commanded by G-d.” Of the animals, only a male and female which were faithful to their partner were allowed in the ark.

Q. How was Noach able to go out and gather all these animals from all over? Also, how could Noach know if they were faithful to each other?

A. The answer is found in the following verse: “Two by two they came to Noach into the ark male and female, as G-d commanded Noach.” They came by themselves and only if they met the above mentioned condition did the ark accept them. The ark had itsown scanning system…

Here is an interesting Midrash about one "pair" which joined Noach in the Ark and whose partnership became everlasting.  As the animals were coming to Noah, Sheker - "Falsehood" came and wanted to enter the ark. Noach told Falsehood that he must find a partner, for only pairs were allowed.  Falsehood left and went looking for a mate. As he was walking, he met "Disaster."  

"Where are you coming from and why do you look so dejected?" Disaster asked Falsehood.  Falsehood had an idea. "I tried to get into the ark, but Noach wouldn't accept me without a partner," replied Falsehood. "Would you agree to be my partner?"

"I'm willing to be your partner," said Disaster to Falsehood. "But what will you give me in return?"

"I promise you that whatever I will make, you can have."  Disaster agreed and, together, they went to Noach.  Since they were partners, Noach let them come aboard.

After the flood, Falsehood and Disaster left the ark. Falsehood began to wheel and deal, but whatever he earned, Disaster claimed.  Falsehood protested, "Why do you take everything I make?"

"You agreed to the deal!" disaster stated, "But I lied!"  Falsehood claimed. "A deal is a deal!" answered Disaster. From then on, whatever one gains through falsehood, they lose to disaster!

SHABBAT SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 5:56 / Shabbat ends: 6:57

B"H

Monday, Mar-Cheshvan 6, 5779 / October 15, 2018

This week's Parsha, Lech Lecha, begins, "The L-rd said to Abraham go to you from your country, from your birthplace and from your father's house unto the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation and I will bless you and make your name great and you will be a blessing."

Abraham was seventy five and his wife, Sarah, was sixty five when G-d commanded them to leave their native land and go to an unknown land ("the land which I will show you"). Abraham took his wife and together they left for the land of Canaan, which would later become the Land of Israel.

This was the first of the ten tests which G-d put Abraham through in order to test his faith. Some of the other tests are also found in this Parsha. They are:

* When they arrive in Canaan, there is a famine in the new land and Abraham and Sarah are forced to move again, this time to Egypt.

* In Egypt, when the Egyptians saw Sarah’s beauty, Sarah was taken, against her will, to King Pharaoh. But she was returned to Abraham when G-d sent plagues upon Pharaoh and his household.

* Returning to the land of Canaan Abraham's nephew, Lot, is captured and Abraham has to wage war, against four mighty kings, and he saves Lot.

* G-d promised that a great nation would come from Abraham.  Yet, he and Sarah are still childless.

* At the age of 99, Abraham is commanded to circumcise. This too was a great test and Abraham didn’t hesitate to perform the mitzvah.

Our sages explain the words Lech Lecha, "go to you," to mean "to your benefit." G-d said to Abraham that, although these tests seem a hardship, yet, in the end it will be to your benefit.

"Nisayon" in Hebrew is "test."  It comes from the same word as "Nes" "miracle" and "uplifting."  When one experiences a miracle one realizes it as an obvious sign that G-d cares and looks out for the person and it is indeed an "uplifting" experience.

Our sages say that the same also applies with the tests which we experience throughout our life. Some tests may be more difficult than others, but they are all for the same purpose. Through these tests a person is uplifted, attaining a higher spiritual level and achieves greater strength.

The very fact that G-d chooses to test an individual, should in itself be an encouragement. It shows that the person has special qualities and the ability to pass the test, for G-d doesn’t give tests which one cannot handle. With the test, G-d gives us the capability needed to pass that test.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY