By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel
CHULA VISTA, California — Noah was a remarkable man.
Just how remarkable was he? How would he compare to Abraham or to Moses? Rabbinical tradition grapples with this question. Rashi cites the midrashic text that offers an answer to our question. Two rabbinic scholars differ on how they interpret the verse, “These are the descendants of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God” (Gen 6:9).
- There are those among our Sages who infer from it to his praise. Certainly, had he lived in a righteous generation he would have been even more righteous. There are others who infer from it to his discredit. Relative to his generation he was righteous, but had he lived in the generation of Abraham he would not have been considered significant.
Ibn Ezra (1089–1164) refutes the second opinion of the Midrash and notes that had Noah been righteous only in his own generation, the verse would have said “in his generation,” but the plural form is purposely used to show that Noah’s righteousness was a standard for all generations—even Abraham’s. More importantly, Noah and Abram’s lifespans overlap one another by 58 years! The ages mentioned in 11:10-26, state that Abram was born 292 years after the Flood. Support for Ibn Ezra’s opinion may be found in the Seder Olam Rabbah (ca.second century) chronology (ch. 1), Shem sires Arpachshad two years after the Flood (11:10)[1], from Arpachshad to Abram’s birth are 290 years, thus Abram was 58 years old when Noah dies; as mentioned previously, Noah has the numerical value of 58! Ibn Ezra’s interpretation also refutes Rashi’s unsubstantiated assertion that, “Had Noah lived in the generation of Abraham he would have been accounted as of no importance.” If anything, the Torah honors Noah by making Abram his successor.
Some ancient pre-Midrashic traditions portray Noah as a preacher of God. According to the Sibylline Oracles (ca. 1st century B.C.E.), the ancient author portrays Noah as a righteous preacher, who attempted to warn his generation about the coming deluge. He would tell them, “You faithless men are smitten with great madness and what you have done will not escape the notice of God!”[2]
Midrash Tanhuma 28 also depicts Noah as a preacher of his time, as Rashi notes, “Why did God burden Noah with the construction of the ark? God beckoned him to build for 120 years so that he would interact with the people of his time, who would ask him, ‘Why are you bothering with building an ark?’ Noah answered ‘God is planning to bring a flood upon the world . . .’ Perhaps you should repent.’”
Despite his integrity, Noah fails to bring about a moral change in his generation. Given the imitative nature of people, it is to Noah’s credit that he stands steadfast in his commitment to living the ethical and just life. He refuses to learn from their poor example. Such an accomplishment is more uncommon than one might think. Imagine a man trying to pull a heavy weight by a rope from the ground to the top of an upper floor, and prankster comes by; he tries to divert worker’s attention so that the heavy load will drop.
\Consequently, Rashi notes that Noah, “required extra strength.” The comparison is unfair for Abraham’s generation did not have many reprobates, and in this sense, their sinfulness was far more benign when compared to the people of Noah’s era.\
To use a modern illustration, the situation of Noah’s era was akin to trying to find tolerant Palestinians who are sincerely interested in creating a peaceful and just society that obeys the rule of law, and wish to co-exist peacefully with the State of Israel.
Unfortunately, such individuals are literally an endangered species. When moral voices speak up and criticize the status quo, these courageous individuals risk not only their own lives but also the lives of their immediate families as well. Not every Palestinian is a terrorist. Many courageous Palestinians wish to bring healing to both nations, but they face corruption, extortion and numerous other obstacles along their way. The true and sincere Palestinian advocates of peace truly embody the Noah archetype of our time.
Ultimately, the measure of a great person is relative to the people of one’s era.
[1] Seder Olam notes that Abram was 48 years at the time of tower builders and Noah dies ten years later.
[2] Cited in James L. Kugel, The Bible as It Was (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997), 115.
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From Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel’s 2nd Volume to Birth and Rebirth Through Genesis: Genesis 4-11:32. Samuel, spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista, may be contacted at michael.samuel@sdjewishworld.com