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Parshas Noach - Death-Defying

By BJLife/Moishy Pruzansky

Posted on 10/19/17

Parshas HaShavua Divrei Torah sponsored by
Dr. Shapsy Tajerstein, DPM - Podiatry Care.
(410) 788-6633

In this week’s Parshah, Noach is forced to live in the Ark in order to survive The Great Flood. Rashi (6:16) quotes a dispute regarding what Noach used as his source of light to navigate within the Ark. One Sage states that he built windows in the Ark and it was those very windows that gave Noach the light that he required. Another Sage argues that the Ark did not possess windows for light. Rather, Noach used a magical stone which provided supernatural light.


The brother of the famous R’ Chaim Shmuelevitz asks a poignant question on the second Sage who states that Noach used a magical stone that provided light and not windows: the Torah states explicitly that Noach released the dove through the Arks’ WINDOW to investigate whether or not the flood had subsided (8:6). Clearly, then, the Ark had windows. If Noach had indeed been given a magical rock to provide light, what was the purpose of those windows???


A world-famous daredevil was once asked why he engages in death-defying acts. "Well", he answered, "we all have a lot of good in our lives. But, the thing is, eventually we all take it for granted at one point or another and don't appreciate it anymore. Things get stale and we forget about all the good that we have. Nothing wakes you up and restores that appreciation and excitement for life like when you're faced with the prospect that you may lose everything ... and then suddenly you get it all back. That's what I experience each time I do a danger act. Everyone should have their way of appreciating what they have and this is mine".


Ask anyone who was faced with a terminal sickness or a life-threatening situation, and survived, how they felt. Some of the typical responses you will hear them respond range from “I had a new lease on life!”, “The petty things that used to irritate me stopped bothering me because I realized the pure joy of simply living” to “I began to realize that nothing is more beautiful than a sunset and nothing more delicious than a breath of fresh air”. Simply put, life is an AMAZING gift, but sometimes one has to realize just how much he stands to lose in order to realize just how much he truly has.


The second Sage was well aware that the Ark had windows. However, Noach was NOT instructed by Hashem to place windows in the Ark simply to provide light; he had sufficient light from his magical stone. Rather, the windows were intended for Noach to see the destruction around him so that he could appreciate just how lucky he was for being saved and granted a second chance at life!


Living Inspired


The joy one feels from a danger act like sky-diving or from recovering from a grave illness, is that one feels like they will lose everything and then, in a moment, they experience the sensation of getting it all back. This makes them appreciate their lives and everything within it with a renewed appreciation and vigor.


There is a much more practical way that one can and should feel the joy of living with all the good that they have; a method which can and should be done on a regular basis: Unfortunately, there is much suffering in the world. While we don’t understand why people suffer, and while one must always commiserate with those going through hardships and pray for their recovery, there is another thing that we should all do - LOOK around and see all of the suffering that Hashem saves us from. Do you have even ONE of the following blessings: 2 working arms and legs? Children? Health? Sanity? Family? Friends? Food on your table? If you have even ONE of these, you are luckier than many people in this country. If you have many of them, you should be overcome with happiness and joy! Sure, it takes training to learn to think like that; but it’s well worth the investment.