Weekly Thought: Only Noach Survived

Do we still have the phenomena of Tevas Noach? Could it be on wheels? Was Noach alone in the Teiva? What possible connection could this Parsha have to a story with The Rebbe and Matza for a Yid? Rabbi Avrohom Brashevitzky, Shliach to Doral, FL, shares his thoughts on the weekly Parsha – Noach.

by Rabbi Avrohom Brashevitzky

“V’chafarta Ossah Mibayis U’michutz Bakofer” “And tar it inside and outside with pitch” (Breishis 6:15)

There’s a story told about a great Rabbi who was invited to the opening of the “Beth Midrash” of Rabbis of the Enlightened Jews of Berlin. For political reasons he was unable to refuse. After touring the building, he exclaimed that it would be most befitting to call the place “Teivat Noach” (“Noach’s Ark”). The Enlightened “Rabbis” were obviously very flattered by this comment, but his disciple who accompanied him protested after they left the event. “I’ll explain it to you… that place is full of Kefirah, inside and out, thus I had in mind the verse which describes the Teiva as being inside and out layered in Kofer (in Hebrew: K’firah)”.

Every joke has some truth to it. Of course the Teiva was a place of holiness and virtue. As explained in Chassidus and in the Sichos of The Rebbe, inside the Teiva there was a taste of the world to come. Yet, we also find that Noach and his stay in the Teiva is also sometimes portrayed in negative light. Noach could have done more to try to sway the people of his generation to good. In this vain, perhaps it can be suggested that indeed the Teiva had a little bit of a refined Klippah – Kefirah. Because Noach was a great Tzaddik, yet he was busy with and concerned primarily about himself and his family, it is not so in sync with Hashem’s true will.

Now, let us compare this Teiva which was designed to shield its inhabitants from the outer elements and negative effects of the “cleansing waters” that were raging outside – to the modern day “Teiva”, the Mitzva Tank! These vehicles are used to transport the volunteers to their designated place of action in a safe manner and serves as a protectant from the “outside” distractions and elements. It is a safe place to have a warm conversation with a Yid in the cold of winter or a comfortable setting to put on Tefillin with another Yid in the heat of the summer. These vehicles make their way through the busiest streets of the world, crowded with all sorts of distractions and spiritual dangers. Not only are its inhabitants “protected” inside the vehicle, moreover, they all “go out” to bring in others! G-d is not only inside – He is brought outside by those who could have very well chosen to stay inside and attempt to keep Him there all for themselves.

The good news is that one does not need to be an absolute “Chevra Man” and set off a whole production in order to accomplish this feat. There are so many opportunities and ways to “go out of the Teivah” and help other Yidden get closer to Yiddishkiet. Just get out there and don’t keep the Teiva (words of Torah and its teachings as explained by the Holy Bal Shem Tov) to yourself! This is especially relevant now that we are “leaving” Tishrei and “going on our way”. The Rebbe explained that the real “V’yaakov Holach L’darko begins after Shabbos Parshas Noach (see Sicha of Noach 5738).

“Vayisha’er Ach Noach.” “Only Noach survived”.

Rashi quotes the Midrash that Noach was coughing and spitting blood from all the troubles with taking care of the animals. Some say that he once delayed the food of the lion and he attacked him. Question:

Didn’t Noach have the help of his sons and daughter in laws. Why was he the only one who ended up with all the burden and pain of taking care of the flock?

The answer may be the fact that Noach was appointed by Hashem to be the leader (The Nassie). As such, he couldn’t totally delegate the care of the animals to anyone else. He himself had to take personal care and pay direct attention to each and everyone. Absolute dedication! Total “Ibber-Gegebenkiet” is the only way a true leader functions! The following stories of Our Nassie are just some small examples of The Rebbe’s care and attention to each and every Yid.

A Bobver Chosid who in the past served as board chairman of a very reputable school in Borough Park related the following story: Many years ago the board of our school had a Yechidus with The Rebbe to discuss some educational matters. The Rebbe answered all our questions in detail and with great clarity. Many years later I had the opportunity to come for “Dollars”. As I passed by The Rebbe said to me: “You were here 17 years ago”!

I was stunned. “How can it be that thousands upon thousands of people pass by The Rebbe, yet he remembers each and every one”! Indeed, during this long time period my appearance certainly changed with my age, yet The Rebbe did remember me. After I left, I thought and thought until I figured out that in fact it was exactly 17 years since that Yechidus!

Another story was related by Rabbi Shlomo Cunin, Head Shliach of California. In the early years The Rebbe would stand on Erev Pesach for several hours and distribute Shmura Matzah for the Seder. The first in line were those who needed to travel to distant destinations, in order for them to make in time for Yom Tov. In 5718 I was only 16 years old. As I still had to make it to the Upper Bronx to my parents home, I got early in line. As I approached The Rebbe He handed me a Matzah and asked me if I can deliver a piece of it to a certain family.

A short while before Shkiah, the subway train I was on broke down and I was forced to make the rest of the way by foot. It was pretty far. Many times along the way I stopped passersby to inquire about the address. Many just pointed in the general direction. One nice person was really helpful: “Young man, you got a real long way to go”. Finally I reached the address. Turns out it was a low-income housing project.

I knocked at door and it was opened by a shirtless pot bellied man, full of tattoos. “What is it?” he “barked” at me. “Excuse me, are you Mr. ….?” I noticed a loaf of bread on the table, certainly not one of the staples of a Pesach Seder. He replied in the affirmative. “The Rebbe sent me here” I said. “Oh, The Rebbe! Come in please”. I entered the very tiny apartment wondering what exactly I was doing there. Then I realized, precisely BECAUSE they seemed to be so removed from Yiddishkeit, did The Rebbe send me here.

I asked the man if he would like to make a Seder. He agreed and called in his wife to the kitchen where the only table stood. She came in followed by two little girls in tow. They were blind R”L. We cleaned the table and I placed my hat on the man’s head. I tried to remember some parts of the Haggadah to recite with them. They ate the Matzah and drank 4 cups of water out of paper cups. I spoke with them about

the fact that Hashem is always with us, to help is in all situations that may rise up. I shared with them part of The Rebbe’s message for Pesach. All the time I can tell that they are eating up my words with great attention. I sang some Pesach songs with the children and the time passed by very quickly.

After the children were laid to sleep I was ready to get on my way, but one question was lingering in my mind. It would not let me leave: from where do they know The Rebbe? The man explained that he works in a tannery. In the same complex there’s a meat factory, he met a Rabbi who supervises there. Several months ago his wife became pregnant. Since they had this terrible disease which caused their first two offspring to be born with blindness, the doctors encouraged them to have an abortion. The man became very depressed over this and did not know what to do. He approached the Rabbi for advice and he suggested that he write a letter to The Rebbe. His response to them was to believe in Hashem and to C”V go through with the abortion.

AMAZING HOW IN THE WHOLE HUSSLE AND BUSSLE OF EREV PESACH AND AS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE PASSING BY HIM – THE REBBE REMEBERED THIS FAMILY!

When I was about to leave the man suddenly said to me “it was extremely difficult for me and my wife to be calm and believe in G-d and trust that all will be well in this matter. However, tonight after eating from the Matzah of The Rebbe and after hearing from you about faith in Hashem, we feel much better and certain that all will turn out alright”! Several weeks later a healthy boy was born to them.

Perhaps some of the lessons we can glean from glean from the above and apply to our daily life:

1) If you consider yourself a real “Maamin” your duty is to get out there and help make a difference for your fellow Yid. Don’t keep The Torah and Mitzvos just for yourself.

2) Sometimes it may even “hurt a little” to help others, not always will it be comfortable and gratifying. Yet, as a Chosid one needs to be “Iber’Ge’geben” to helping others.

3) We must try to be true leaders by paying particular attention to each person we come in contact with B’Hashgacha Pratis. It could end up being the factor that will greatly impress the individual, more than the actual Mitzvah or Shiur itself!