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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Noach
Before we present a thesis, let us note a few more things. Usually covenants include two sides’ mutual commitments, yet here we are aware only of Hashem’s commitment. It is also not clear who the other side is. While we would think it is Noach, representing mankind, the Torah stresses (four times) "kol basar" (all flesh). When the Torah said that Hashem "saw that all flesh was corrupted" (Bereishit 6:11-12), Rashi says that it refers to the animal kingdom (regarding their inter-species relations). The overlap of the term kol basar and the idea of seeing links the two narratives.
The idea of seeing is stressed again in the next story. Noach became intoxicated and was lying undressed in his tent. His son, Cham, saw and did something for which his father cursed him. The main approach in Chazal is that Cham committed sodomy on his father. In contrast to him, his brothers came in to cover Noach without seeing his nakedness (ibid. 8: 20-24). We see that the difference between being fit to properly rebuild the world and not, depends on how one sees and is seen.
When describing incest, the Torah sometimes refers to it as "seeing her nakedness" (Vayikra 20:17; see also Eicha 1:8). This is also the source for the aforementioned assumption that the sin that Cham committed had to do with illicit intimacy, in this case, with another male and a father. The word keshet (bow), which can refer to a rainbow or the bow of a bow and arrow also has special significance in this context. Yaakov said about Yosef, "His bow was firmly emplaced" (Bereishit 49:24) to hint that he did not allow himself to be seduced by Potiphar’s wife.
Putting all our observations together we come up with the following. The idea of the rainbow was not that it was created for the brit. Rather it represented that the inhabitants of the world accepted, as their part in the covenant, to rein in the rampant tendency toward illicit relations that existed before the flood. Thus, it is not a new phenomenon or a reminder to Hashem, who does not forget. Rather it forms the basis for what the world needs to know is a basic foundation of the covenant with Hashem that ensures their survival. Certainly one does not choose a "partner" who is already married to another man, who is of the same gender, or is a close relative. When Cham broke this part of the covenant, there was a need for an updating of the covenant, whereby Hashem forged a special relationship with Avraham, as we will discuss next week.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
