Would you get a ticket on the Teiva (Boat)?

This week is Parshas Noach. The Torah tells the story of the great Mabul (flood) that destroyed the world, and that only Noach, his family, and the animals on the Teiva (boat) survived. The reason for the destruction was because of the terrible corruption and wickedness that prevailed at the time – there was a total breakdown of ethics, the world was full of immorality and theft.

The reason why Noach was saved was because he was different. He was a pious and righteous man. He was a shining light in a world full of darkness, not being influenced by his surroundings. On the contrary, he tried to change the world, tried to influence others to change their evil ways. Unfortunately he was not successful, and the world was destroyed.

All of mankind until the end of time owes a great debt of thanks to Noach – only because of him do we live today. It definitely was no easy task for him to be different; He received no honor, gained no positive recognition. In a world full of deception and falsehood, he was considered an outcast, a reject. But in the end it was all worth it, for only he and his family merited a ticket on the Teiva, and they will always be blessed and remembered for their righteousness, while the rest of the world was obliterated and cursed for their wickedness.

Noach taught us an important lesson. Life is not a popularity contest. Regardless of what others think and say, a person must conduct his life based on morals and ethics, and only then can his life have meaning. Many people think that an individual can’t make a difference, how can one person change the world? Noach taught us differently – yes, you can make a difference! Just take a look at Noach, a man who stood up for what was right, spoke the truth in a world full of falsehoods, lived a moral life in a world full of immorality, because of this he merited saving the world and mankind forever.

We should all take a moment out of our busy schedule to ponder this question. If there was a Mabul today, would we merit a ticket on the Teiva? Do we have the courage to be the Noach of our generation? Someone who stands up for truth and morality, regardless of what others are doing?

We must remember that every day we are presented with numerous opportunities to listen to our Yetzer Tov, and if we choose to listen to him and go in the proper way, we will be the Noach of our generation, living a life of meaning and reward – both in this world and the world to come.

Wishing you a gut Shabbos – Rabbi Ari Spiegel