By Rabbi Mordechai Rhine

The Great Flood was on its way. G-d had promised that if the people did not repent he would destroy the inhabitants of the world and start again. Only the righteous Noach and his family would be saved. Noach built a Teivah- or Ark- for his family. Soon afterwards it began to rain.

The Medrash says that although it began raining Noach did not enter the Teivah right away. He still thought that perhaps the Great Flood would never happen. Our Sages call Noach “of small faith,” because he did not enter the

Teivah until he had no choice. What is so bad if Noach thought that tragedy would be averted? What is so bad if Noach thought that G-d will yet have mercy on His creation?

One of the earliest conversations regarding the creation of mankind was between G-d and the Angels. G-d asked, “Do you think I should create mankind?” The Angels responded, “No. Humanity will not live up to your expectations.” Nevertheless, G-d “hoped” for the best and created mankind.

The first experiments involving mankind met with failure. G-d tested the first man with one commandment and he failed. Now, in Noach’s time, all of humanity was corrupt and G-d threatened to destroy them. When G-d says he intends to destroy the people, He is not merely talking about punishment. G-d is saying that He would like to try again.

Noach’s attitude is fatalistic, much like the attitude of the Angels at the time of creation. “This is what mankind is,” the pessimist says. “There will be an occasional righteous person. But basically mankind is corrupt.” Noach can’t believe that G-d would bring a flood, because Noach doesn’t believe that any experiment involving mankind will turn out better.

When our Sages say that Noach was “of small faith” they were not talking about his faith in G-d. Noach was a righteous man. He certainly believed that G-d could bring a flood. When we say Noach was of small faith we mean that Noach didn’t have faith that humanity as a whole would ever amount to anything better than the corruption of his generation.

By turning the world into a sea of destruction, G-d was actually proclaiming His belief that humanity could do better. G-d was willing to try again with the expectation of better results. At the conclusion of the story G-d promises that He would never again bring a Great Flood. Still, there are moments in our lives when G-d declares his optimism and faith that mankind will yet do better. One such example is the High Holiday period, in which G-d declares His willingness to accept our “New Year’s Resolutions”.

Another example of G-d’s belief in mankind occurs every morning of our lives.

Jewish tradition teaches that we must wash our hands every morning upon waking up. Two reasons are given for this. One reason is that during sleep our bodies are inactive and are to some degree dead. A negative spiritual force adheres to the hands until it is washed off by the ritual hand-washing. A second reason is that we wash our hands each morning just as the priests did before they began their daily service in the Temple. We too should view our day as an act of service to G-d.

At first glance these reasons are very different. One has to do with a small taste of death. The other talks of one’s service to the Creator. But these seemingly different reasons can be viewed as two dimensions of the same concept.

Every morning the first thing a Jew recites is the declaration of Modeh Ani. “Thank you G-d for returning my life to me. Great is Your faith.” Many wonder about the statement “Great is Your faith.” In whom does G-d have faith?

The commentaries explain that by restoring our lives G-d has expressed His faith in us. Although yesterday had its shortcomings, G-d restores life. In doing so He expresses his belief that today will be better.

The morning hand-washing is a declaration that we understand G-d’s faith in us. In one way we are washing away the death experience that sleep brought upon us. We recognize that G-d has “put to sleep” the shortcomings of yesterday. But hand-washing also represents our desire to start a wonderful day of service to Him, just like the priests in the holy Temple.

So as you pour the water over your hands each morning, go ahead and create a sea of cleansing. Remember, G-d has faith in mankind’s tomorrow.

With best wishes for a wonderful Shabbos!