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Parashat Noach is one of those stories we all remember from childhood: animals lining up two by two, the big flood, and the rainbow at the end. But as I read it again now, I noticed something I had never really thought about before. Noach spent 120 years building the Teivah. That’s an incredibly long time—longer than most people live! You would think, with all that time, he would try to warn people about what was coming to convince them to change their ways. Rashi actually says that Hashem gave people so much time on purpose, hoping they’d notice Noach’s project and do Teshuvah. But the strange part is, from the Pesukim, it doesn’t sound like anyone but Noach’s family was saved. So what happened?
Some commentators suggest Noach didn’t really try hard enough to get others to repent. He just quietly built the Teivah and kept to himself. Maybe he thought nobody would listen, or maybe he felt embarrassed. Either way, he didn’t really stick his neck out. There’s even a Midrash that says Avraham, who comes later, was greater because he always tried to help others connect with Hashem, not just focus on himself.
I think there’s something very relatable about that. Sometimes, it’s easier to do what we should and not worry about everyone else. If we see someone doing something wrong, it’s awkward to speak up, so we stay silent. Or maybe we think, “Who am I to say anything? What if I make things worse?” But maybe Parashat Noach teaches us that just being “righteous in your generation” isn’t always enough. If you know something important, or if you can help others, you have to actually try—even if you’re not sure they will listen.
It’s not just about telling people what to do, either. Sometimes, caring means being a good friend, helping someone who’s struggling, or just showing that you notice them. If Noach had reached out more, maybe things would have ended differently for his generation. Even if nobody listened, at least he would have shown he cared.
Hashem doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but He does expect us to care about other people. Noach was saved because he was righteous, but the world might have been very different if he had found the courage to reach out more. The rainbow at the end is a sign that Hashem won’t destroy the world again, but maybe it’s also a reminder for us: it’s our job to help make sure nobody else gets left out in the rain.
So as we read Parashat Noach this year, let’s try to have the courage to care about the people around us. Whether it’s speaking up when it’s hard, or just being there for someone who needs a friend, we can all make a difference—no matter how small it seems. Shabbat Shalom!