Truth be told, Noah is a somewhat problematic biblical hero. The Torah is not terribly effusive in its description of his virtues; saying that he was “righteous in his generation,” suggesting that at another time and place, he might not have fared so well by comparison. When he is told that all humanity will be destroyed due to their immorality, he does not argue with G-d on behalf of mankind, as, say Abraham or Moses would have. He simply does what he was told, building the Ark and populating it with his family and the animals which will survive the Flood. The Rabbis jump into the breech, crediting Noah with spending 120 years attempting to reform the sinners, and demonstrably growing the trees with which he would construct the Ark in an effort to inspire repentance. A number of miracles are attributed to the story, not the least of which is that a boat, which according to the biblical text was just over 100,000 square feet, was able to contain all the flora and fauna known to man, as well as the provisions which would sustain them on their journey. But Noah himself? We don’t even hear his voice until the end of the story, after he plants a vineyard, gets drunk, and debases himself. And the first and only words that we hear from the savior of humanity? A curse on one son, a blessing for another, and a neutral reference for the third. Not exactly a towering figure of homiletical brilliance. But that’s not the point of Noah the character. He’s meant to be the silent “doer.” Whether the miracles or other superlatives are accurately attributed to him or not, his actions saved humanity and nature from itself; a lesson which is as current today as it was in Noah’s time. Just last week, 23 species were officially declared extinct by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, victims of climate change and our destruction of their native habitats. Perhaps Noah had it right all along. Reticent, imperfect, problematic Noah teaches us a very important lesson. It’s through our actions that we can save and preserve the world. As long as we take on the responsibility, we don’t need to utter a sound.Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi/Hazzan David B. Sislen
Rabbi/Hazzan David B. Sislen
