By Rabbi Dovid Sapirman, Dean, Ani Maamin Foundation
As we move from Noach to Lech Lecha, Rashi points out a contrast between Noach and Avraham Avinu. Concerning Noach, the Torah says, “Noach walked with Hashem.” Of Avraham, it says that he walked “before Hashem.” Noach needed support to hold him up, but Avraham walked in righteousness of his own accord. There is an important lesson here for us.
Noach lived in an age of wickedness that encompassed the entire world. He felt unable to confront his society and wanted nothing to do with it. He did not rebuke those around him for their ways, and served Hashem alone and in private. Why did Hashem command him to build a gigantic boat, a task that took 120 years? Hashem wanted everyone to see the construction project and ask Noach about it, so that he would be forced to explain the impending mabul, giving them a chance to do teshuvah. If not for that interaction, Noach would not have warned them. He could not face the scorn and blasphemy of his society, so he remained secluded as much as he could.
In one of the prophecies of Yeshayahu, the mabul is referred to as “the waters of Noach.” This seems strange. Noach was the only tzaddik in his time—why should the deadly flood be attributed to him? But Chazal tell us that to some extent, he is blamed. He did not daven for the people to be spared. He did not engage with them at all.
Avraham Avinu, on the other hand, also lived in an era of total wickedness. But he was not afraid to confront the people, spreading Hashem’s name throughout the world. In this merit, Hashem chose him as the ancestor for His chosen nation.
When the Rambam discusses the mitzvah to love Hashem, he writes that this includes the obligation to spread Hashem’s name and cause others to love Him. Just as a person who loves another human being wishes to tell everyone else how wonderful they are, so did Avraham proclaim to the world to love and serve Hashem. For this reason, he is called “Avraham, who loves Me.”
We. too, live at a time of widespread wrongdoing, with most of our Jewish brethren having forgotten the heritage of three thousand years in pursuit of the host culture in which we live. We must try in any way we can to model and communicate the beauty of serving Hashem and observing His Torah. This is a wonderful way to fulfill the mitzvah of ahavas Hashem.
