NOACH

This week we read the section of Genesis, called Noah (Hebrew Noach), describing the great flood that washed the world clean of the depravity and degeneration that humanity had sunk to since the creation.

Noah, himself in contrast to the degeneration of his times remained faithful to the traditions of morality and was chosen by G-d to survive the flood.

G-d said to Noah, “I have decided to put an end to all flesh.” (6:13)

G-d did not bring on the flood because He suddenly realised He had made a mistake by creating the world. Rather, the pre and post flood ears were necessary stages in the world’s development, reflected today in everyday life.

Before the flood, reality was locked into the irresistible forces of cause and effect, every good choice reinforced goodness permanently, and every bad choice reinforced evil permanently.

The flood softened reality by introducing the opportunity of repentance. So when Noah emerged from the ark, he saw not devastation but a new fresh world full of promises and free from the shackles of the past.

In our own lives too, we can mistakenly think that we have to be locked in the past, dictated by our upbringings and possible earlier errors. Due to the flood the opposite is true, it is never too late. G-d is always waiting to welcome us back with open arms to begin anew.

Really strong and powerful messages for us all, have a lovely Shabbat and successful week to follow.