A Taste of Torah in honor of Shabbat
from Rabbi Avi Weiss

Parshat Noach
October 23-24 1998/ 4 Heshvan 5759

After leaving the ark, Noah becomes drunk and uncovers himself. (Genesis 9:21) His children react differently.  Ham, together with his son, Canaan, appear to mock their father.  In contrast, Shem and Yefet remain silent and modestly
take a garment and cover their father's nakedness. (Genesis 9:22,23)

Here, Noah's children present different responses to being disappointed by someone dear--whether it be a fellow human being or even God.

Consider our relationship with God.   At times we become disillusioned with God's ways.  This may lead to doubting the Almighty.  Sa'adia Gaon suggests that rather allowing the doubt to destroy our belief in God, we should isolate
the uncertainty and try to learn from it.  But, even if we can't make peace with that point of doubt, we should continue to believe.  The challenge is to step back and consider the larger picture.  We may feel that God has hurt us in certain ways, but look how much God has given us.

Similarly in human relationships.  When a friend disappoints us--and there is no friendship without disappointment--we can opt to allow that particular feeling to destroy the larger relationship.  Or we can bracket the falling out and try  to learn from it.  But even if the issue which caused the tension is not resolved, we have it within our power to take into account that person's goodness and move on with the friendship.

So too in our narrative.  After providing heroically for his family for the entire year of the flood, Noah fails--he becomes drunk.  The reaction of Ham and Canaan was to allow this mistake to destroy their entire relationship with
their father.

Not so with Shem and Yefat.  No doubt their father had become drunk.  But they did not focus in exclusively on that failure.  They took into account their father's whole personality.  Hence, they cover up his nakedness symbolizing their readiness to isolate the wrong, learn from it, even as they continue to love and respect their father.

Since we are not perfect, we cannot expect perfection from others.  As we tolerate our failings, so too should we learn to tolerate the failings of others.   Interestingly, one of the words for beloved--whether referring to God or another human being--is re'ah, from the word ra, which means "evil."  The test of a relationship is what happens when a disappointment sets in, when something ra occurs.

Shem and Yefet teach that in a genuine and deep relationship, one doesn't allow a falling out to destroy the love that exists.

SHABBAT SHALOM

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Rabbi Avi Weiss, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale
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