Torah’s Practical Wisdom

G-d’s command to Noach to build an Ark to survive the waters of the Flood teaches us how to avoid getting swept away by the Mayim Rabim (the many/powerful waters) in our life. We have to build an ark and then get in the Ark. Noach spent 120 years building the Ark. The word Ark is related to word. In a similar sense, a Jew must engross himself in building a fortified structure that will allow him to observe the entire Torah and act G-dly not only with G-d but with man. For Noahides, observance of the 7 mitzvot B’nei Noach keeps him grounded and is a one way ticket to Heaven while living a meaningful life on Earth.Building our ark is a day-by-day effort where we learn how to set guardrails that keep us morally sane while at the same time not deprived. We grow and build the structure that will keep us safe. When the time gets tough in our life, we have to enter the Ark and remember that following G-d’s commandments as expressed in the Torah and delving into Torah will keep us safe from all of our challenges.

We explore the connection with the Hebrew word Halacha (Jewish law) and the word Mehalach (to walk). In Judaism, Halacha is about walking with G-d

We will gain insight from the Torah portion Haazinu, and we will reflect on a verse that highlights the fact that G-d will protect the Jews and cares about non Jews as well. A person should not view himself as being irredeemable

A person must recognize that even as a member of a Jewish community that his individual connection with G-d matters. Many people focus on causing others to have a stronger connection with G-d or having a communal connection, but your personal relationship with G-d matters and can only be fulfilled through following Torah and mitzvos

Failure to appreciate the internal good and where it comes from can lead to unhappiness. In addition, it can lead to a future where things feel like a curse where there appears to be no good on both an internal and external level.