This is in the online edition of the Jerusalem Post. The commentary summarizes some of the outstanding insight into God's nature that I've been mentioning.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1225199607579&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
snip
Oct 30, 2008 11:44
Parashat Noah: God doesn't want yes-men
By SHLOMO RISKIN
The writer is the founder and chancellor of Ohr Torah Stone Colleges and Graduate Programs, and chief rabbi of Efrat.
snip
Most significantly, when these individuals were faced with similar challenges they each reacted very differently. When the Almighty tells Abraham His plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, the first Hebrew argues aggressively, railing against a wholesale destruction: "Will you then destroy the righteous together with the wicked?... Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous together with the wicked!... Will the judge of the entire earth not act justly? (Gen. 18:23-25).
And Abraham goes on to bargain with God as if they were standing in the Mahaneh Yehuda market.
In stark contrast, when God informs Noah that He is about to destroy the world, we hear not a peep of protest.
It seems to me that precisely in this contrast we can understand the entire picture. Noah's greatest virtue is obedience - whatever God wishes to do, Noah is ready to accept. He takes the world as it is, and submits to whatever plan God suggests.
That is not the mission that God wishes to impose on His chosen people. God knows that He has created an imperfect world, and wants His people to perfect it, to challenge and goad even Him to cause His compassion to overcome His anger and even His strict justice. God is not seeking pure obedience; He wants to be challenged.
Showing posts with label Noah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Noah. Show all posts
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Annoyed with Israel, as Usual
http://www.chabad.org/calendar/view/day.asp?id=156800&tDate=9/6/2007#156800
Today in Jewish History
Dove brings Olive Leaf (2105 BCE)
On the 301st day of the great Flood, Noah sent a dove for the 2nd time from the ark (see "Today in Jewish History" for Elul 17). This time, the dove stayed away all day; "the dove came in to him in the evening, and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off; and Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth" (Genesis 8:11).
***
According to the Jewish calendar, today is the day that the dove released by Noah from his ark after the earth was destroyed by flood returned with an olive leaf in her mouth. This was a sign that there was growing land to be found and the flood sent by God was abating.
Today Israeli jets made hostile entry over the northern part of Syria, a land who, without complaint, has been sheltering one and a half million Iraqi refugees fleeing from the mess in Iraq. I think the government in Israel has an odd idea of timing of their aggression, and that they had better start finding some time for Torah and Bible study. Think about it dummies. I know that Israel has become a secular country a long time ago except when it's convenient for them to hassle Christians and Palestinians, but I suggest they not be so cheeky with their timing with God, to send hostile jets on such a significant day in their very own calendar. Doubly annoying as they sent a representative to the Vatican today too. Who are they kidding? Get religious and get serious, if you please. God is watching.
Today in Jewish History
Dove brings Olive Leaf (2105 BCE)
On the 301st day of the great Flood, Noah sent a dove for the 2nd time from the ark (see "Today in Jewish History" for Elul 17). This time, the dove stayed away all day; "the dove came in to him in the evening, and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off; and Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth" (Genesis 8:11).
***
According to the Jewish calendar, today is the day that the dove released by Noah from his ark after the earth was destroyed by flood returned with an olive leaf in her mouth. This was a sign that there was growing land to be found and the flood sent by God was abating.
Today Israeli jets made hostile entry over the northern part of Syria, a land who, without complaint, has been sheltering one and a half million Iraqi refugees fleeing from the mess in Iraq. I think the government in Israel has an odd idea of timing of their aggression, and that they had better start finding some time for Torah and Bible study. Think about it dummies. I know that Israel has become a secular country a long time ago except when it's convenient for them to hassle Christians and Palestinians, but I suggest they not be so cheeky with their timing with God, to send hostile jets on such a significant day in their very own calendar. Doubly annoying as they sent a representative to the Vatican today too. Who are they kidding? Get religious and get serious, if you please. God is watching.
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