| Dear Congregants,
It is easy to get lost and caught up in the modern world we live in. As a society, we glorify narcissism, materialism, wealth, and we often lack depth to see things beyond the surface. It seems like less and less people of my generation talk to G-d anymore. This week’s parsha, Noach, begins with words, “The Earth became corrupt before G-d; the earth was filled with lawlessness. When G-d saw how corrupt the earth was, for all flesh had corrupted its ways on earth, G-d said to Noah, ‘I have decided to put an end to all flesh, for the earth is filled with lawlessness and because of them: I am about to destroy the earth.“ (Genesis 6:11-13) So as the story goes, G-d brought a flood to destroy all of humanity minus Noach and his family.
While we have modern technology and scientific research; is this world much different than the one Noach lived in? Have human beings changed in their desires and feelings from those people living thousands of years ago?
After the flood, G-d promised not to flood the earth, “I will maintain my covenant wit you: never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” (Genesis 9:11) This week one of the worst Hurricanes in the history of this country hit the Florida panhandle. At this time authorities are saying 11 people have lost their lives. Countless homes and businesses were destroyed and the devastation was horrific. Is this G-d going back on G-d’s word? Is it climate change? How can we make sense of a disaster like this as we head into Shabbat with Noach?
Where is the silver lining in all of this, or rather where is the rainbow showing everything will be ok like the one depicted in the parsha as a sign of G-d’s covenant never to destroy the world again? The rainbow may or may not appear in the sky, however it will appear in the rescue workers helping all of those people who lost their homes and possessions. The rainbow is in the hearts of all those who band together to help one another and bring light into the lives of other people by doing acts of kindness and by being selfless.
Our possessions do not define us, our homes do not show other people who we are. Our actions towards our fellow brother and sister and towards G-d define our character. As we head into Shabbat and a new week please let your rainbow shine out from you and help a stranger, a friend, as well as a family member.
Shabbat Shalom,
Cantor Kowitz
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Greetings from JTS!
Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism