Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Noach and the Torah



B"H

Every week, I write the Torah Parasha for one of my German blogs. I once picked up a special thought from Rabbi Mordechai Machlis from Jerusalem: "Wouldn't it be a great idea studying the Torah for one year and only concentrating on one particular commentator ?"


I liked the thought and with last week's Parashat Bereshit (Genesis), I started studying each Parasha with the commentary of the Ramban. And by studying Parashat Noach with the Ramban, I discovered a tremendous insight which I would like to share.
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The Ramban (Nachmanides, Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman, 1194 – 1270) on Parashat Noach:

As we all know, Noach did not participate in the sins of his generation and this is why G – d chose to save him and his family from the upcoming flood (Hebr. = Mabul). At a certain point, G – d commanded Noach building an ark (Hebr. = Teva) and take, before the flood is coming about, two animals of each species into the ark. In Bereshit (6:19 – 21) G – d says that those animals would come to the ark by themselves:

"G - d informed Noach that two of every sort of animals would come of their own accord, and he would not find it necessary to hunt for them in the mountains and distant lands (see Parashat Noach / Genesis 6:19 - 21). After that, He commanded him to take seven and seven of every clean beast (Parashat Noach / Genesis 7:2 - 3. Concerning these, G - d did not say that they would come of their own accord but that Noach should take them. These animals were to be sacrificed as whole - offerings and G - d did not decree that they come of their own accord to be slaughtered".
(Quote from "Ramban (Nachmanides)" – Commentary on the Torah by Dr. Charles B. Chavel)

From this we learn that Noach already knew Torah !
Rashi, the Ramban and the Da'at HaZkenim commentate that Noach understood the meaning of "clean" (animal) and thus he figured that those seven clean beasts were meant to fulfill a special purpose.
The Kli Yakar, however, rejects this idea. This alone would not be a proof of Noach knowing the Torah. At the time when G – d commanded him, Noach did not know that after the flood, G – d would permit humankind to eat meat. Before the flood all people were simply vegetarians.
The seven clean animals were Noach's food after the flood. The sacrifice he brought was taken from the other clean animals in the ark.

Regarding the word "clean" concerning the rest of the animals:
"Clean" here stands for not being used for sexual perversions, as it was very common in Noach's generation.

Not only Noach knew many parts of the Torah but also Avraham. I just remind you of the famous story when the three messengers (angels) came to Avraham and he told Sarah to prepare some food. First they ate the dairy meal and only afterwards the meat. From this, many commentators have been drawing the conclusion that Avraham knew Torah and Kashrut (kosher laws). At least up to a certain extend.

Many times we hear from different sources that it is not really necessary to keep the Mitzvot. Our forefathers did not have the Torah and thus were not familiar with all the laws. So, why should we do so ? Isn't this a waste of time ?

First of all, all Jews standing before Mount Sinai accepted the Torah, meaning the 613 Mitzvot. Not, that everyone is able to keep ALL the Mitzvot because many apply to men or to Cohanim (priests in the Temple). Nevertheless, we accepted the Torah (according to the Talmud) at Mount Sinai and especially when our ancestors were in Bavel (Babylon). There is a special verse in Talmud Shabbat describing how the Jews in the Babylonian Exile really accepted the Torah and not only by "force" like at Mount Sinai.

Especially people converting to Judaism should refrain from the statement "the forefathers did not keep the Torah, so I do not need to do so !"

Judaism is a religion of action ! We HAVE to do Mitzvot and this is our whole purpose why we are in this world. Acknowledging G – d as the Creator of everything and keeping his Torah Mitzvot. We do not just sit around, be so spiritual and wait for something to happen. Our task is going out and doing Mitzvot and thus causing a "Tikun Olam – Rectification". Rectifying us and hopefully bringing about Meshiach.

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