Noah is accused of not doing much for his generation, he is prepared to build an ark to save himself while his generation degenerates and faces annihilation, he makes a basic effort to persuade others of the need to change their ways but not really knocking himself out. The flood is even called Noah's waters.
We have two of Noah's sons looking away when their father disgraces himself. Lying naked and drunk.
A post trauma society goes into survival mode, to build a tower to make themselves strong with no other agenda. The Lubavitcher Rebbe warned in the post-holocaust era of the dangers of having survival as the only focus, the means can justify almost any means.
Some ideas to contemplate over the coming week.
Noah gets drunk, after the flood.
We have two of Noah's sons looking away when their father disgraces himself. Lying naked and drunk.
Noah's curse of his grandson Canaan introduces slavery to the world. We have not yet rid ourselves of this.
Some ideas to contemplate over the coming week.
I appreciate your insight into this parsha. But I am somewhat confused. Isn't Noach considered one of our patriarchs? To what extent should Noach's behaviours be held as a model for others?
ReplyDeleteI do like your other phrase here:
ReplyDelete"A post trauma society goes into survival mode, to build a tower to make themselves strong with no other agenda."
A not so subtle commentary.
hi, Kwokie. The commentaries offer a variety of lessons, some where we do as the greats did and in other cases to learn from their mistakes.
ReplyDeleteTo "Reflectingonmiddleeast", the link to the middle east from the Lubavitcher Rebbe's insight does appear obvious, although I wonder if the Rebbe would apply that to the needs or rights of the Palestinians.