Noach-A Resilient People

By Rabbi Mordechai Rhine

“Noach was a good man.” That is clear from the Torah. Yet, the Talmud presents a discussion resulting from the words “a good man in his generation.” Some say this is meant to praise while others say this is meant to talk of a shortcoming. “In his generation,” can be taken to mean, “But in the generation of Avraham he would have been even greater.” Or, “In his generation,” can be taken to mean, “He was a very great man in his generation, but had he been in the generation of Avraham he would not have been noteworthy.”

I wonder: If the Torah says that Noach was a good man, and we could interpret the words “in his generation,” in a praiseworthy way, why would anyone choose to understand these words as referring to shortcoming?

Perhaps, the Talmud is not looking to judge Noach’s greatness (after all, judgment is to G-d). What the Talmud is looking to do is to identify what made Noach great. What was it that inspired him and propelled him to be a lone voice for moral behavior in a world that was corrupt?

To this question the Talmud replies: Some say the words “in his generation” indicate the skill and style that enabled Noach to become who he was. Noach’s was a style of praise. He saw a bit of good, was inspired by it, and emulated it. If he saw a little act of loyalty or faith, by even one righteous person, he was able to build on it and become greater. Says the Talmud: “Had he lived in the generation of Avraham, he would have been even greater.” Because that personal life-style would have been nurtured exponentially more in the generation of Avraham.

But there is a different perspective that is extremely instructive. It is possible that Noach was nurtured, driven, and inspired, by the shortcomings of his generation. He saw how far people can stray and responded passionately to be righteous. According to this understanding of Noach, says the Talmud, “Had he been in the generation of Avraham he might very well have become a simple follower, and would not have become the great man that he did become.”

Greatness in people is triggered by different catalysts. For some watching other’s goodness is what fuels their inspiration. For others, looking failure or challenge in the eye inspires them to arise with responsibility and achieve greatness. As our sages taught, “If you see a moment of weakness in a generation, be strong, for it is a potentially rewarding moment.”

It happens periodically in the course of time that as a people we are confronted with moments of emotional challenge. It could happen when a trusted Kosher supplier, respected in a community, turns out to have been tricking people for years. It could happen when a trusted friend borrows communal money without permission. Or it could happen when any person in whom we place our trust- police, clergy, or activist- appears to have abused that trust. Such a moment is a defining moment in our lives. We can decide (like the first approach in understanding Noach) to be inspired by goodness and demoralized by failure. Or we can (like the second approach in understanding Noach) be motivated and responsible in the face of adversity. Lucky is the person, community, and generation, that can grow from such a defining moment.

Growth from a defining moment is not easy. Too often people simply grab at events and attribute and interpret them according to their general world view. One must be careful to learn inspirational lessons from the events we encounter. As the Talmud quotes the Nazir, “I realized I was at risk, so I elevated myself and became a Nazir.”

As a people we are resilient. Even negative experiences inspire us. May G-d give us the wisdom and fortitude to ride the waves of emotional hurt and challenge, and to emerge as a nation stronger and pristine because of our experiences.

© 2017 by TEACH613™