Parshas Noach 5767

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

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As the generations since Creation passed, man began to sin and thus distance himself from G-d. By the tenth generation G-d’s authority had been totally spurned. Immorality, theft and strife had become the norm throughout society. Man had begun to self-destruct. G-d decided to destroy the whole world. Although only the people were actually guilty, the corruption had become so entrenched that it had literally seeped into the atmosphere, even affecting the animals. The whole world needed to be “cleansed.”

There was one righteous person in the whole generation, Noach, who deserved to be saved with his family. Although Noach was able to remain firm in his own devotion to G-d and not be adversely influenced by others, he was unable to exert a positive influence on the society around him. The Rabbis felt that this was a fault on Noach’s part. Righteousness must be spread, and not be kept to oneself.

G-d decided to bring a great flood. He ordered Noach to build an ark to save himself and his family from the flood. He was also instructed to take individual animals and birds, male and female, from all the different species. The ark would protect them for the duration of the floodwaters and they would be able to repopulate the world after the flood.

After the flood, G-d promised Noach that He would never destroy the world again. When man would anger G-d, He would view the rainbow and recall the covenant He had made with Noach.

Unfortunately, even the experience of the flood did not have much of an effect on the succeeding generations. A few hundred years later, the society again began to slide, albeit in a more sophisticated manner. This time it was done under the guise of a communal project.

The people conspired to build a tower that would reach to the sky, negating the need for G-d. This was a means of declaring their independence from G-d’s authority, and an open expression of rebellion.

This time, too, G-d showed them the impropriety of their actions by thwarting their plans. Whereas originally all man spoke one language, G-d now confused their ability to communicate with one another preventing them from working together. From there the people were dispersed throughout the world, creating different nations and languages. Unity is only considered a positive attribute when it is used for constructive purposes.

“... and the land was filled with theft.” (Gen. 6:11)

Our sages were careful to avoid the slightest form of theft. The Chafetz Chaim, who published many books, would personally spend several hours perusing each volume to make sure that no pages were missing or mistaken. He was concerned that if a customer paid for a book that was even slightly damaged, he would be stealing.

A student once told the Chafetz Chaim that he had paid eighteen rubles for a beautiful pair of Tefillin that were made with many Halachic stringencies. The Chafetz Chaim remarked, “I hope you were as Halachically stringent earning and paying the eighteen rubles as you were with the Tefillin. It is important to be careful that our mitzvah performance is proper; but it is also important to be careful that our money is proper.”

Did You Know...

It is prohibited to build or erect a protective shelter on Shabbos, even if it is only temporary. Even opening or closing an umbrella is prohibited. Moreover, to avoid suspicion of transgression, one may not even use an umbrella on Shabbos if it was opened since before Shabbos.

The prohibition only applies if the intention is to provide shelter or protection, e.g. from the sun or rain, or if the intention is to create a usable space underneath. To extend a temporary covering, however, for example to open an awning, is permitted. It is also permissible to open or close a folding table or chair.