IN MOST PEOPLE'S LIVES THERE ARE TIMES OF TURMOIL AND TIMES OF TRANQUILLITY. During difficult, hectic and troubled moments we may forget that things can ever be any different. At such times, people often feel quite desperate - and this itself does not help in coping with the situation. One of the messages of the Sedra
1, as taught by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, is about keeping one's balance when all around is tumult and confusion. This is especially relevant now when Israel is trying to defend itself from the ongoing attacks of Hamas, and possibly other enemy forces, a problem in which we are all involved.
How can we discover a moment of peace in this time of struggle? Let us look more closely at the Sedra. The turmoil in the Sedra is quite clear. After all, there is a devastating Flood, the result of terrible evil among humankind. As if that were not enough, near the end of the Sedra is the story of the Tower of Babel, a timeless symbol of fragmentation and confusion. But where is the tranquility?
There is an interesting idea that the name of each Sedra is itself significant. It can be seen as summarizing the Sedra's contents, expressing it all in a word or phrase. Sometimes the name of the Sedra apparently contrasts with the contents. This itself teaches us something.
Now, in this case the name of our Sedra is Noah. This would seem quite natural: Noah is the person who built the Ark and survived the Flood. It is interesting, considering this in very simple terms, that while the Sedra is largely about the turmoil of the Flood, the name of the Sedra focuses on Noah who survives it. At the very least, we are talking about getting through the difficulties, with strong faith that this is what is going to happen, in a positive way.
The Rebbe presents a further dimension: the name Noah in Hebrew means "comfort" both in the sense of consolation2 and of feeling comfortable. A further meaning, based on the Aramaic usage of the word, is "calm" or "tranquil".
It is remarkable that the Sedra which is about such terrible turmoil should have a name connoting comfort and tranquility. Further, even in the context of the events in the story, there are moments of blissful calm: such as when the Flood subsides and Noah finally comes out of the Ark. As the Sages put it: "he saw a new world". Everything was fresh and pure, with a unique sense of global tranquility.
The Torah is presenting us with a fundamental teaching about life. Yes, there are times of turmoil and chaos, as we are living through now as a result of the terrible attack on Israel. But the inner purpose of this, ultimately, will be for us as a people to reach a sense of comfort and tranquility.
Further, even while facing the challenges, with G-d's help, however daunting they may seem, there can also be moments of calm.
In which way? Here we come to the central theme of the Sedra: the Ark. The Baal Shem Tov pointed out that the Hebrew for Noah's Ark also means "word". We shelter from the Flood by entering the "word" of Jewish prayer and Torah study, and indeed, Shabbat. Despite the raging waters, for a moment all is calm. And then we return to the struggle, with renewed confidence that this indeed is G-d's plan, and that ultimately the forces of Goodness will prevail. We will see 'a new world' in which all will be pure, good and holy3.
No comments:
Post a Comment