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Noach is categorized in the parasha’s opening as a man who is tzaddik (righteous) tamim (perhaps most safely translated as complete). Some say that these two adjectives relate to different sides of his persona. Ibn Ezra and Seforno say he was a tzaddik in his actions and tamim in his thought. Avot D’Rabbi Natan says that tamim related to his body, as he was born circumcised, so he was complete without the need to be fixed. The Ramban says that tamim means that he was complete in his righteousness.
According to all approaches, why was such a great man unable to impact his generation? According to the opinion that "in his generations" means that in comparison to other generations he was not exceptional, we understand, but according to the opinion that it was a praise that he was able to maintain his righteousness even in a difficult generation, the matter is difficult.
Members of the Gerrer dynasty developed a beautiful approach in this regard. The Sefat Emet (5652) cites the gemara (Taanit 15a) that tzaddikim provide light and yesharim (the straight) provide joy (based on the pasuk: "Ohr zarua latzaddik u’leyishrei lev simcha" (Tehillim 97:11)). He explains that tzaddik refers to the level people reach after the sin of Adam, and this is what Noach attained. Our forefathers are referred to as yesharim, whose simcha hints at the level of man before that sin, which is related to the joy that existed in the Garden of Eden.
The Sefat Emet explains the connection between Yom Kippur and Sukkot along similar lines. Yom Kippur is dedicated to making us tzaddikim, as we emulate angels. Sukkot is a holiday of joy, when we are able to take mundane agricultural leftovers and turn them into a holy sukka.
The Sefat Emet’s grandson, the Lev Simcha, applies these concepts to the context of Noach and Avraham. Tzaddik tamim means that Noach insulated himself from interaction with the people of his generation so that they would not ruin his righteousness. Avraham, in contrast, was a chasid, meaning that he loved Hashem enough to make a difference in his generation.
The midrash (Bereishit Rabba 30:10) compares Avraham to a friend of the king who saw him in a dark alley and started to light it up through a window. The king asked him to do better and come outside with a lantern. It cites a pasuk about Avraham that demonstrates that he was the epitome of lighting the alley for the King. The Sefat Emet explains that Avraham’s mesirut nefesh in spreading the light made him fit to be a leader, a chasid who outshone the tzaddik tamim that Noach was.
On Yom Kippur, we give permission to pray with the sinners, but we still emulate the angels who are beyond serious contact with people. On Sukkot, we take the etrog (representing the righteous) but can only fulfill the mitzva if we combine it with the arava (representing sinners). Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook often pointed out that there is even a minhag/mitzva accomplished with the aravot alone and not with the etrog. We, of course, prefer the mitzva of combining them all.
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
