Dear Friends,
Do you recall how the Noah vignette, which is the core of this week’s Torah portion, ends?
Yes, they find dry land and the ark settles. The water recedes and they disembark from the vessel. Yes, the creatures – and humans – procreate and repopulate the earth, generating biodiversity.
But, there is one more vital element: God sends the rainbow as a sign in the sky of renewal of the human experiment, a rapprochement with the beings who so terribly disappointed the Creator such that a destructive flood and restart was necessary.
“God said… I am establishing My covenant with you; never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” And God said, “Here is the sign I am giving you of the covenant between Me and you, and every living being with you, down to the last generation: I have placed My bow in the cloud – it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.” (Gen 9:8-13)
Essentially, God set the magnificent, inspiring rainbow as an emblem in the heavens to forever remind humanity of safety from the flood. Rainbows generally appear after rains end and the sun reappears in the sky. It is a signal that the storm is abating.
And, God’s symbol also came with a vital message, and a message about that message.
God pledged never again to destroy the earth by a flood. God stated it repeatedly in this section which concludes the Noah vignette. Thus, that message came alloyed with the rainbow; it is an abiding commitment and it offered strength to the renewal of God’s bond with humanity.
But more: by stating the pledge, and repeating it, God demonstrated how critical it is to make amends, apologies and renewals both tangible and real. Words can only go so far. We all know of those who eagerly blurt out, “I’m sorry,” but who then repeat their transgressions continuously. Their pledges, apologies or renewals are barely skin deep. True, honest statements of remorse and renewal must come with changed actions, and regular, real reminders of future behavior.
Such was God’s message in stating a pledge and establishing the bow in the sky as an eternal reminder.
So, too, we should strive to make our commitments, and our assertions contrition be real and visible – for us and for all others.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
Do you recall how the Noah vignette, which is the core of this week’s Torah portion, ends?
Yes, they find dry land and the ark settles. The water recedes and they disembark from the vessel. Yes, the creatures – and humans – procreate and repopulate the earth, generating biodiversity.
But, there is one more vital element: God sends the rainbow as a sign in the sky of renewal of the human experiment, a rapprochement with the beings who so terribly disappointed the Creator such that a destructive flood and restart was necessary.
“God said… I am establishing My covenant with you; never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” And God said, “Here is the sign I am giving you of the covenant between Me and you, and every living being with you, down to the last generation: I have placed My bow in the cloud – it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.” (Gen 9:8-13)
Essentially, God set the magnificent, inspiring rainbow as an emblem in the heavens to forever remind humanity of safety from the flood. Rainbows generally appear after rains end and the sun reappears in the sky. It is a signal that the storm is abating.
And, God’s symbol also came with a vital message, and a message about that message.
God pledged never again to destroy the earth by a flood. God stated it repeatedly in this section which concludes the Noah vignette. Thus, that message came alloyed with the rainbow; it is an abiding commitment and it offered strength to the renewal of God’s bond with humanity.
But more: by stating the pledge, and repeating it, God demonstrated how critical it is to make amends, apologies and renewals both tangible and real. Words can only go so far. We all know of those who eagerly blurt out, “I’m sorry,” but who then repeat their transgressions continuously. Their pledges, apologies or renewals are barely skin deep. True, honest statements of remorse and renewal must come with changed actions, and regular, real reminders of future behavior.
Such was God’s message in stating a pledge and establishing the bow in the sky as an eternal reminder.
So, too, we should strive to make our commitments, and our assertions contrition be real and visible – for us and for all others.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
