Aliya Summary: The torrential rains lasted for forty days and nights. The waters rose to great heights and covered even the highest mountains, killing all humans and animals; everything died aside for Noach and the other occupants of the teivah. After the waters raged on the earth another 150 days, G‑d caused the waters to subside. The teivah eventually rested on the Ararat Mountains, and shortly thereafter the mountain peaks came into view. Noach opened the window of the teivah and dispatched birds to see whether it was time to leave the teivah. First he sent a raven, which refused to execute its mission and just circled the ark. He then sent out a dove. On its second attempt the dove went and did not return, signaling that the earth was once again habitable. After one full year in the teivah, the earth had dried.
Commentators explain that G-d's anger subsided and turned into mercy because of Noach's prayers. Apparently, prayer has a soothing effect on G-d, something not overlooked by future traditions, but this could have been the seed and blueprint for the prayers that have evolved since.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Daily Aliya for Noach, Sheni (2nd Aliya)
Aliya Summary: Of kosher animals and birds, Noach was commanded to take seven pairs of each species (as opposed to one pair of all other species). Noach, his family, and the required animals boarded the teivah and the mabul began: "The springs of the great depths burst forth and the windows of the heavens opened."
The Talmud (in Pesachim) points to G-d's instructions to take "Animals that are Tahor (i.e. Kosher) and those that are not Tahor", as a lesson in speaking with a "clean" language, i.e. not vulgar. The Torah could have used the word TAMEI (unclean) but chose a longer periphrasis to use more pleasant terms. Commentaries ask, if this is so, how come the Torah uses the word TAMEI in many other contexts. The answer is, that when the Torah is setting down Mitzva and Halacha, it must use straightforward terms to avoid any possible confusion. When recounting a story (and for us, whenever possible) it is preferable to use more polite language.
The Talmud (in Pesachim) points to G-d's instructions to take "Animals that are Tahor (i.e. Kosher) and those that are not Tahor", as a lesson in speaking with a "clean" language, i.e. not vulgar. The Torah could have used the word TAMEI (unclean) but chose a longer periphrasis to use more pleasant terms. Commentaries ask, if this is so, how come the Torah uses the word TAMEI in many other contexts. The answer is, that when the Torah is setting down Mitzva and Halacha, it must use straightforward terms to avoid any possible confusion. When recounting a story (and for us, whenever possible) it is preferable to use more polite language.
Daily Aliya for Noach, Rishon (1st Aliya)
General Overview: In this week's reading, Noach, Noach and his family, along with at least one pair of each living creature, survive the Flood by taking refuge in an Ark. The erection of the Tower of Babel angers G‑d, and leads to the dispersal of Noach's descendants. Abraham and Sarah are born.
Aliya Summary: While society as a whole descended into a state of anarchy and utter corruption, only Noach remained righteous and faithful to G‑d's ways. Noach was informed by G‑d that a mabul ("flood") will soon destroy all of civilization, and only Noach and his immediate family would survive in a teivah ("ark," boat) that he was to build. G‑d gave Noach the exact dimensions of the teivah he was to build, and commanded Noach to bring along into the teivah specimens of every species of animal and bird to repopulate the world after the mabul, and to stock the boat with food to feed all its inhabitants.
Aliya Summary: While society as a whole descended into a state of anarchy and utter corruption, only Noach remained righteous and faithful to G‑d's ways. Noach was informed by G‑d that a mabul ("flood") will soon destroy all of civilization, and only Noach and his immediate family would survive in a teivah ("ark," boat) that he was to build. G‑d gave Noach the exact dimensions of the teivah he was to build, and commanded Noach to bring along into the teivah specimens of every species of animal and bird to repopulate the world after the mabul, and to stock the boat with food to feed all its inhabitants.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Daily Aliya for Bereishit, Shvii (7th Aliya)
Aliya Summary: The next three generations are chronicled in this Aliya -- concluding with Noach, the tenth generation from Adam. At this point in time, the wickedness and immorality of the people on earth reached such proportions that G‑d regretted creating man. G‑d gave the world 120 years to clean up their act or be destroyed. Noach, on the other hand, was an exception. He was righteous and found favor in G‑d's eyes.
The Midrash Rabah records the following important story/lesson: A gentile asked Rabbi Joshua ben Korchah, “Do you not admit that the Holy One, blessed be He, foresees the future?” Rabbi Joshua replied to him, “Yes.” He retorted, “But it is written: and He became grieved in His heart!” Rabbi Joshua replied, “Was a son ever born to you?” “Yes,” the gentile replied. “And what did you do?” Rabbi Joshua asked. He replied, “I rejoiced and made everyone rejoice.” “But did you not know that he was destined to die?” he asked. The gentile replied, “At the time of joy, joy; at the time of mourning, mourning.” Rabbi Joshua said to him, “So is it with the work of the Holy One, blessed be He; even though it was revealed before Him that they would ultimately sin, and He would destroy them, He did not refrain from creating them, for the sake of the righteous men who were destined to arise from them.”
The Midrash Rabah records the following important story/lesson: A gentile asked Rabbi Joshua ben Korchah, “Do you not admit that the Holy One, blessed be He, foresees the future?” Rabbi Joshua replied to him, “Yes.” He retorted, “But it is written: and He became grieved in His heart!” Rabbi Joshua replied, “Was a son ever born to you?” “Yes,” the gentile replied. “And what did you do?” Rabbi Joshua asked. He replied, “I rejoiced and made everyone rejoice.” “But did you not know that he was destined to die?” he asked. The gentile replied, “At the time of joy, joy; at the time of mourning, mourning.” Rabbi Joshua said to him, “So is it with the work of the Holy One, blessed be He; even though it was revealed before Him that they would ultimately sin, and He would destroy them, He did not refrain from creating them, for the sake of the righteous men who were destined to arise from them.”
Daily Aliya for Bereishit, Shishi (6th Aliya)
Aliya Summary: Lemech accidentally killed his great-great-great-great-grandfather Cain in a hunting accident; the blood of Abel was finally avenged. Adam and Eve gave birth to a third son, Shet. This Aliya then chronicles the first seven generations of mankind, from Adam to the righteous Enoch.
Lemech's wives knew of the impending flood, and that almost everyone would be killed, and therefore stopped having kids. Lemech complained about them to Adam, and Adam argued that "You perform your commandments, and He will do His", meaning that we do what we're supposed to do, and let G-d deal with the consequences. The wives countered that Adam should take his own advice, to which he stood corrected, and proceeded to have Shet, of whom Noach was a descendant, who did survive the flood, and who led the new world!
Lemech's wives knew of the impending flood, and that almost everyone would be killed, and therefore stopped having kids. Lemech complained about them to Adam, and Adam argued that "You perform your commandments, and He will do His", meaning that we do what we're supposed to do, and let G-d deal with the consequences. The wives countered that Adam should take his own advice, to which he stood corrected, and proceeded to have Shet, of whom Noach was a descendant, who did survive the flood, and who led the new world!
Daily Aliya for Bereishit, Chamishi (5th Aliya)
Aliya Summary: The sixth generation descendant of Cain was Lemech, who fathered several children -- seventh generation descendants of Cain.
This Aliya contains the story of Lemech, the great-great-great-grandson of Kayin and his accidental killer, Lemech's two wives Ada and Tzila. The Torah mentions more descendants of Kayin and their roles as the "firsts" in various fields of human activity. This portion also contains Lemech's lament for having killed Kayin.
This Aliya contains the story of Lemech, the great-great-great-grandson of Kayin and his accidental killer, Lemech's two wives Ada and Tzila. The Torah mentions more descendants of Kayin and their roles as the "firsts" in various fields of human activity. This portion also contains Lemech's lament for having killed Kayin.
Daily Aliya for Bereishit, Revii (4th Aliya)
Aliya Summary: Adam and Eve were then expelled from the idyllic Garden of Eden. Eve gave birth to two sons, Cain and Abel. When Abel's offering to G‑d was accepted, while Cain's was rejected, Cain murdered his brother in a jealous rage. G‑d punished Cain, designating him to be a lifelong wanderer, but postponing his ultimate punishment for seven generations.
It may be no coincidence that as soon as Adam lost his innocence by eating from the Tree of Knowledge, he had children, who are born with that same initial innocence. As children are raised, their parents try to shelter their innocence by protecting them from the harsh realities of life and the world around them. In a way, we all try to get back to the bliss of the Garden. In a world filled with information on demand, we often forget that in reality we should always have a filter in place - not everything is meant for us to see and understand. We must know our place, our role, our limitations.
It may be no coincidence that as soon as Adam lost his innocence by eating from the Tree of Knowledge, he had children, who are born with that same initial innocence. As children are raised, their parents try to shelter their innocence by protecting them from the harsh realities of life and the world around them. In a way, we all try to get back to the bliss of the Garden. In a world filled with information on demand, we often forget that in reality we should always have a filter in place - not everything is meant for us to see and understand. We must know our place, our role, our limitations.
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