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Noach (2026)

 Parshat Noach

Dvar Torah – A Rendezvous with Nature
In this week’s portion, the Torah reading recounts the famous story of Noah and the flood. Society has fallen, becoming morally and criminally corrupt of the lowest order, and Hashem brings about the flood – wiping out his creation save for Noah, his family, and a pair from each creature of the earth which has boarded the Arc to weather the storm.

As he comes out of the Arc, a rainbow appears on the horizon. Hashem tells Noah that this rainbow is a sign He is giving for His covenant with mankind that from now on, no matter what, the universe will not be destroyed.

The modern commentator Rabbi Shimshon Rephael Hirsch challenges that the rainbow, as a physical reality, surely existed before flood as well. So why does the Torah speak of the rainbow as being something “given” now?

Rabbi Hirsch answers that while nature hasn’t changed, human history and our relationship with G-d changes and nature takes on new meaning for mankind. The stars become the symbol and promise of Abraham’s destiny and the moon the symbol of Israel’s exodus from Egypt. Here too, in this critical moment G-d takes part of his everlasting world and dedicates it to man.

We can suggest that this particular rendezvous with nature is meant to encourage Noah that despite the tragedy of the flood, the world is heading to a better place. Symbolically, water which was the force of destruction now refracts vibrant color, bringing majesty to the world and connecting the heavens with the earth. Man is not alone and the world will return to a hopeful future.

The covenant was not just for Noah, but extends to all of his descendants, which includes every one of us today. When our world feels uncertain or overwhelmed by turmoil, the rainbow reminds us of an unconditional promise of renewal. Even when storms obscure the sky, light is always capable of breaking through again.

Shabbat candle lighting/Havdalah times
Yerushalayim 17:34/18:49
Tel-Aviv 17:54/18:51
London 18:02/19:07
Paris 18:55/19:58
NYC 18:07/19:04
St. Louis 18:13/19:09
Santiago 19:33/20:30

Shabbat Shalom!





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