| Hitchhiker on Noah's Ark \ Parashat Noah
D'var Torah: "And HaShem said to Noah, 'Come into the ark, you and all of your household.'" Remarkably, there was one creature, a desperate hitchhiker, who clung onto the ark from the outside and survived. Og the giant, was an entity of absolute immorality and impurity. He swore to Noah, "I will be your eternal servant if you save me from the flood." Noah made a opening in the ark and gave food to Og, who rode out the flood by holding on to the bottom of the ark. This incident reveals a very important lesson. When evil submits itself to serve holiness, it is an opportunity for man to grow. Rather, than totally disconnecting from evil, man transforms evil by allowing it to serve holiness. Nevertheless, Noah wisely kept Og outside the ark, to protect himself and the others from being influenced by the impurity of Og.
Moral: When evil is submissive to goodness, man masters over it by elevating his earthly passions to holiness and purity. However, man must keep distant from evil in order for his soul to prevail.
Application: Envision Og pleading with Noah to accept him as a slave in return for Noah saving him from the flood. See Noah accept Og as his slave and provide food for him from a window, being careful to always keep separated from evil. Strengthen your faith, that eventually all the evil of the world will submit itself to do the Will of HaShem. Envision your soul mastering over your body, and attain true holiness and purity. (Based on Otzrot HaRamchal) |
L"N R' Yochanon Mordecai ben Ephraim and Moras Esther Leah bas Yehudah Yoseph
Refuah Shleimah
Yochanon Baruch ben Fruma Ettta
Riva bas HenyaZivia bas RaizelLeah Hadassah bas Michal ChanaChava Bas Michal ChanahChaya Harriet Bat Sophie Lee Mazal Malkah Mollie Bas Sarah Yakir Efraim Ben Rachel Devora
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