Two Minute Torah Podcast

Noah 5772 by Joel Udwin

Shalom, my name is Joel Udwin and I am a sophomore at Boston University. Welcome to KOACH's Two-Minute Torah; a project of the College Department of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. With the mounting need to advocate for Israel on campus Parashat Noah spoke to me in a different way then I normally read it.  

Normally when I read a Parasha I seek to understand what occurred in the Parasha and its meaning in relation to my life. But for Parashat Noah I would like to approach the Parasha in another way. I would like to analyze what did NOT occur in Parashat Noah, something which I find very troubling.  

In this week’s Parasha God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth has become full of robbery because of them, and behold I am destroying them from the earth” (6:13). What I found troubling is Noah’s response to G-d’s declaration that he would destroy the world. As you may know Noah didn’t respond. In fact he just followed G-d’s instructions and built an ark, allowing the rest of mankind to be doomed to destruction. 

Had Noah bargained with G-d or asked him not to destroy the world (as for example Avraham bargained for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah in Parashat Vayeira) perhaps g-d would have relented and agreed to spare mankind. This teaches us the importance of speaking up for something we believe in. 

This principle is especially relevant on college campuses. In our lectures, in the dining halls, and even on the streets we may hear things that don’t sit well with us. But by not speaking up we are acting like Noah and allowing these things that we don’t agree with to occur. Instead we should follow the example of Avraham and defend the values that are important to us. 

When we hear someone on our campus say something incorrect about Israel, we should correct them. When we hear a floor-mate make an anti-semitic remark we should not be quiet, we should explain to them that their remark was unacceptable. In Parashat Noah the world was flooded not because G-d wanted too, but because Noah did not speak up. Similarly our campuses and communities can become toxic environments if we refuse to speak up. Don’t remain silent.  

Shabbat Shalom.