The parsha tells us that Noach was ‘‘perfect in his generations.’’ There are those who understand this as a positive statement and others who understand it as a negative one. This Sicha discusses the manner in which Noach compares to various generations of tzadikim.
A perfect man
The simple reading of this verse, is expressive of the virtues and flawlessness of Noach. It calls him ‘‘righteous’’ and ‘‘perfect’’ and concludes by relating that he ‘‘walked with G-d.’’ Surely then, it would seem, that a man like Noach is someone we should strive to emulate, as he was a paragon of consummate perfection.
Notwithstanding these descriptions that extol his qualities, throughout rabbinic literature there have been rabbinic authorities that have judged Noach critically. The basis on which they judged him negatively was founded upon their understanding of the verse’s statement that Noach was ‘‘perfect in his generation.’’ In the additional words, ‘‘in his generation,’’ the verse tells us that Noach’s greatness was only in relation to his generation. Compared to other generations though, he would have been judged on a different scale.
Others see the words ‘‘perfect in his generations’’ as an expression of Noach’s praise. He was righteous despite his corrupt surroundings. How much more so would he have been righteous in a generation where the rest of its members were upright as well.
Three tzadikim & three steps
In the Zohar’s statement that the service of Noach could not be compared to the service of Avraham, Moshe and Dovid, it is evident that there is some point of comparison between their three ways of serving G-d. Therefore, the Zohar must therefore tell us that notwithstanding the greatness and righteousness of Noach, he cannot be compared to them.
The three characters enumerated by the Zohar are not merely three of the most righteous men in Jewish history, but are as well, three men that each began a step in the process of the ultimate purpose of the world. These three tzadikim names form the acronym, ‘‘ADaM’’ (Avraham, Moshe and Dovid). This testifies that these individuals brought about the steps which lead to the goal that man (ADaM) is to reach and affect in this world.
Although Noach, too, was similar to ADaM—in the sense that like Adam, he is the father of all mankind, and that Noach served G-d in a manner similar to three tzadikim—compared to these three tzadikim, however, he is negligible.
The purpose of the world is for (1) the Jewish people; (2) the Torah; and (3) to ultimately be in a state which a king is ruling upon it. These three goals are expressed in the service of these three tzadikim. Avraham began the Jewish nation, Moshe’s primary achievement was that he gave the Torah to the Jewish people, and Dovid brought the Jewish people to its finalized state through establishing the Davidic dynasty.
This is what the Zohar means by saying that Noach would not be considered as anything compared to these tzadikim. For, although Noach was indeed a tzadik, he did not bring about the purpose of creation.