THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
On the weekly Torah portion
The earth was corrupt before G-d, and the earth was filled with violence. (Gen. 6:11)
People are mistaken to think that without belief in G-d they will still perform the mitzvot that are between one person and another (i.e. charity, hospitality, not stealing, etc.). For, when the world becomes "corrupt before G-d" - when people throw off the yoke of belief and sin toward G-d - the outcome will be "and the earth was filled with violence." (Or HaTorah)
G-d said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them" (Gen. 6:13)
Noah lived before the giving of the Torah. Accordingly, he was not strictly obligated to feel a responsibility toward his fellow man. Nonetheless, because he didn't pray for mercy or try to convince his generation to repent, the Flood is known as "the waters of Noah." We, however, live after the Torah was given, when all Jews have became guarantors for one another. How much more so is it therefore necessary that we help others! (Likutei Sichot)
A window shall you make for the ark (Gen. 6:16)
The Hebrew word for "ark" is "tayva," which also has the meaning of "word." A Jew's job is to make a "window," as it were, for the words he utters in prayer or in the study of Torah, and to let them illuminate, as the sun shines at midday. (The Baal Shem Tov)