This is the narrative for the Haf Torah portion for Noach. Shalom, Jim
Presented 10/16/04

Over the past 3-4 years in studying the Noach portion of Beresheis, I found
a shift of blame and now understanding taking place in my own heart and mind.
At the outset I find the man Noah falling so very short in his life, because
the record does not relate any substantial effort on his part to call the
world to repentance. The sages relate that had Noah been alive with Abraham he
would have been insignificant and of no account by comparison. At first this
seemed unfair and harsh to me but in the next year of study I found myself
agreeing with that appraisal. But Noah demonstrates a special characteristic that
is not out of the reach of all of us and it is further addressed by Isaiah in
the Haf Torah portion. This characteristic is kindness and for a year plus
Noah demonstrated exceedingly great kindness. What is our evidence of this
kindness? It is simply the fact that all of the species survived as G-d commanded.
While we may ponder that G-d did something to the animals to keep them calm,
the fact is that Noah and his family continually demonstrating kindness over
and over impacted the animals in a profound way causing their unusually
peaceful behavior, as Mikhael mentioned earlier the lion would lie down next to the
lamb. Twenty-four hours a day, Noah maintained a feeding and care schedule that
kept the animals content and calm. Some of the sages say that Noah’s family
never really slept during the voyage.

Kindness is one on the most unassuming and non-demanding characteristics that
a person can have. While we usually associate some type of merit
(worthiness, repentance) with compassion and mercy, kindness is afforded without any
strings attached, without even a reason. It is a most wonderful aspect of G-d
that is readily available for practice by man. In Isaiah 54:9-10 we read the
following: "For like the waters of Noah this shall be to Me: Just as I swore
that the waters of Noah would never again pass over the earth, so I have sworn
not to be wrathful with you nor to rebuke you. For the mountains may be moved
and the hills may falter, but my kindness shall not be removed from you and My
covenant of peace shall not falter, said the one who shows you mercy, Hashem."
We know our G-d to be compassionate and merciful, even to the point of sending
Messiah to atone for us - but the prophet reveals from G-d his promise that
his kindness will never be removed. In a life of seeking to emulate G-d and
live Torah as Yahshua did, we find ourselves with the responsibility of showing
and living kindness. For what kindness did on the ark demonstrates more so
what it is capable of doing for this present day world. As we see in the Torah
portion and as reiterated by the prophet, Hashem responds in kind at a minimum
when we practice kindness.

In 55:1-5 we find further evidence of kindness, but more importantly we find
that the kindness will need to realize it’s roots in Torah. For Torah is the
water, wine, milk and bread that the prophet speaks of. Kindness is
referenced here again in verse 3 where G-d reiterates the enduring kindness (promised
to) David, a clear prophecy concerning the coming of Messiah.

Next week with the Torah portion we will begin a journey through Torah which
will reveal to us that certain generations enjoyed certain characteristics.
Hashem’s influence will be realized in generations that demonstrate kindness,
others that will demonstrate devotion and sacrifice, and others that will
demonstrate commitment to Torah and truth. Most all of us if not all of us agree
that this generation will probably be the launching pad for the return of
Messiah. For that return to be realized it would appear that since Hashem has
declared in the Haf Torah that the coming of Messiah will be the heralding of
kindness, then it becomes our solemn obligation and duty to live and expound a
life of kindness. The 206th positive commandment tells us to love our neighbor.
Yashua spoke of the same commandment as well. How best to realize the
fulfillment of this mitzvoth but by living a life full of kindness.

As Isaiah makes reference to, it appears that in contract to us the hills and
the mountains are forever and we appear diminished next to them. But as the
prophet tells us these too will be worn down and falter. For in practicing
kindness, we find that ideals, vision, love and wholeness, even life itself are
really more powerful than avalanches and waterfalls. Even when the mountains
and hills are worn down we will be assured then of what we assured of now,
thanks in large part to the prophecy of Isaiah, that the steadfastness of G-d’s
love, the covenant of wholeness and peace will outlast all created things.

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