Taking a Stand (Noach 5787: Moral Matters)
Family Edition

The parsha describes Noach as a righteous man ‘in his generation’. He does whatever God tells him to do. He builds the Ark, gathers the animals, and brings in supplies. The Torah tells us three times that Noach did all that God commanded him. He is also the only person in the entire Tanach who is described as a tzaddik (righteous).

• Why do you think the Torah states that Noach was righteous ‘in his generation’?
• What do we learn from these words? Is it a complimen?

נֹחַ‭ ‬אִישׁ‭ ‬צַדִּיק‭ ‬תָּמִים‭ ‬הָיָה‭ ‬בְּדֹרֹתָיו

“Noach was a righteous man, a person of integrity in his generation.”

(BEREISHIT 6:9)

Rabbi Sacks teaches us:

“Throughout the whole of the narrative - the warning of the Flood, the building of the Ark, the gathering of animals, the beginning of the rain - Noach says nothing... he has no impact on his contemporaries. He does not engage with them, rebuke them, or urge them to mend their ways. Nor does he pray for them, or question the justice of the Flood... [Noach] fails to show collective responsibility.”

To Heal A Fractured World, pp. 140-141

Rabbi Sacks further teaches explains:

“The Torah sets a high standard for the moral life. It is not enough to be righteous if that means turning our backs on a society that is guilty of wrongdoing. We must take a stand. We must protest... even if the likelihood of changing minds is small. That is because the moral life is a life we share with others. We are, in some sense, responsible for the society of which we are a part. It is not enough to be good. We must encourage others to be good. There are times when each of us must lead.”

rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/noach/righteousness-is-not-leadership/

Let’s discuss:

• Is it more impressive to stand out for being righteous when living amongst good people who can have a good influence on you, or to be a good person when those around you are corrupt and a bad influence?
• Why do you think Noach stayed silentwhile everyone else was behaving badly?
• When is it important to speak up, despite feeling scared, or doubtful it will help?
• Do you think being good is enough if the people around you are doing the wrong thing? What small action could you take that might make a positive difference in your school or community?