MagenDavidSynagogue

Friday, 28 October 2011
Candlelighting: 05:39pm

Friday, 28 October 2011
Erev Shabbat Minha: 05:40pm

Saturday, 29 October 2011
First Minyan: 07:15am

Noah

The Prophet Yeshayahu refers to the flood as "the waters of Noah," as though Noah was responsible for the flood. The Talmud explains that this is because Noah did not intercede to ask for mercy for his Generation. When our forefather Abraham was told that Sedom was to be destroyed, he pleaded for Divine mercy. When G-d told Moshe that he intended to destroy the Nation and rebuild it through his own children, Moshe interceded, stating that if the Nation was not to be forgiven then he did not wish to remain either. Noah, on the other hand, accepted the Divine offer that he and his family would be spared while the rest of mankind perished.

There are two ways one can have warmth in frigid weather. One can wear a warm coat, or one can build a fire that radiates heat. The first way provides warmth only for oneself, while the second method provides warmth for others as well.

We refer to our Patriarch Abraham as Abinu, our Father, and to Moshe as Rabbenu, our teacher. It is them that we are to emulate, to refuse personal salvation if all those around us perish. Noah was also our ancestor but he is not called our Father nor our teacher. Our ideal is one who will stand up even to G-d to plead for mercy for others, because that is truly what G-d desires.

Moses received the Torah from Sinai and gave it over to Joshua. Joshua gave it over to the Elders, the Elders to the Prophets, and the Prophets gave it over to the Men of the Great Assembly. They [the Men of the Great Assembly] would always say these three things: Be cautious in judgment. Establish many pupils. And make a safety fence around the Torah

Partners

Noah

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