“Eleven Lessons from Noah’s Ark”
(updated and revised from Noah 5765-2004)

By Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

In this week’s parasha, parashat Noah, we read of the great deluge that inundated the world in the time of Noah. It is a remarkable Torah portion with many profound messages. Some of these messages have been discussed and examined in previous parasha studies over the years.

It is always rewarding to delve into the classical commentators for their keen insights into the parasha that often have bearing on contemporary issues. I shall, on this occasion, however, depart from the classical sources and focus on a truly contemporary interpretation that I happened upon not long ago. The source of this message is a venue that provides almost limitless information, although admittedly not all of positive value. I am referring, of course, to the internet.

Several years ago, I was sent an email of a wonderful cartoon of Noah’s ark. The colorful and amusing cartoon depicts Noah on his ark, with all the animals on board looking with concern at Noah, who is desperately trying to trap the woodpecker in his net, since the woodpecker had already drilled several large holes into the side of the ark. The caption reads: “The woodpecker might have to go!”

An anonymous author appended a commentary to the drawing, and entitled his message: “Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah’s Ark.” The author proceeded to list eleven lessons, which I share with you, together with a few of my own comments on each of the lessons.

One: Don’t miss the boat.

We all have opportunities in life that come our way. Some, because we have created those opportunities, others, appear to be more-or-less fortuitous. Each opportunity needs to be carefully evaluated so that we may be certain not to fritter away any worthy opportunity that may never be available to us again. On the other hand, we need to forgo those opportunities which may result in negative outcomes, those which may prove to be all-consuming, or those for which we are not sufficiently prepared or skilled enough to exploit.

Two: Remember that we are all in the same boat.

Newton’s Third Law of Motion is an established principle of physics, that states that every action has an opposite and equal reaction. Similarly, what we do in our own lives often impacts on others. Polluting the environment, physically or spiritually, has an impact, not only on our lives and on our own generation, but also on future generations. By coordinating our efforts and working together with others who share our values, we are able to accomplish much more for the benefit of humankind.

Three: Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.

Our sages in Tractate Tamid 32a, have said: אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם? הָרוֹאֶה אֶת הַנּוֹלָד, Who is wise? He who is able to see the consequences of his actions. We need to prepare for life’s varied eventualities so that we are not caught off guard. It’s always good to have an umbrella or a raincoat not too far away, a “plan B,” that we can call upon if we get stuck in plan A, or if plan A is no longer suitable.

Four: Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

In a society such as ours that worships youth, old age is often dismissed or relegated to the ash heap. Judaism values old age because it values experience. Abraham was 75 years old when he arrived in Canaan. Moses was 80 years old when he began his mission. Rabbi Akiva was 40 years old when he started to study Torah. The experience that advanced age brings is very valuable, and if you can be carried out with your boots on, do it.

Five: Don’t listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

Unfortunately, complaints always come much easier and faster than compliments. Not everyone is sufficiently thick-skinned to persevere in the face of complaints and criticism, especially when doing something out of the norm that most people cannot understand or appreciate. One needs to be extremely focused to fulfill such a mission.

Six: Build your future on high ground.

Not only should security be built into every personal endeavor and business plan, but one should always stand on the high ground and conduct oneself ethically and virtuously.

Seven: For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.

The book of Kohelet, Ecclesiastes (4:9), which we just read over the Succot holiday, recommends: טוֹבִים הַשְּׁנַיִם, מִן הָאֶחָד, Two are always better than one. It’s always healthy to have a partner who can fill-in when the other is unavailable or disabled. Like-minded partners, and even contrarian pairs, are also able to sound new ideas off each other, and thus be more creative. Partnerships allow each partner to rest, take a break, and cover for each other in times of need and/or emergency.

Eight: Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

The trick is to always employ the correct skills and talents at the right time. Sometimes there is a need to operate slowly and deliberately. At other times, it is necessary to function rapidly while expanding broadly. The upsides and downsides of each approach must always be considered when deciding whether to move rapidly or slowly, to expand or contract. As the author of Kohelet says (3:1), לַכֹּל, זְמָן, וְעֵת, There is a proper time for everything.

Nine: When you’re stressed, float a while.

Rabbi Tarfon in Ethics of our Fathers (2:20), tells us, הַיּוֹם קָצָר וְהַמְּלָאכָה מְרֻבָּה… וּבַעַל הַבַּיִת דּוֹחֵק, Life is short and there is much to accomplish, and the “Boss” (in Heaven) is demanding. Yet, Rabbi Tarfon continues to say: לֹא עָלֶיךָ הַמְּלָאכָה לִגְמֹר, (2:21), You don’t need to always finish the task yourself. There are usually others who can step in and complete the job. What’s the point of being so stressed out that little or nothing is accomplished?

Ten: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

While we must respect the talents of professionals, there are young, undiscovered talents that need to be honed and nurtured. Today’s professionals were last year’s amateurs. Training for the future is one of the most important things that we can do.

Eleven: No matter the storm, when you are with G-d, there’s always a rainbow waiting.

In all our endeavors we need to see G-d as our partner, and ourselves as servants of G-d. G-d is sure to look upon His servants favorably, and reward them, either in this world or the next. His rainbows abound, although we don’t always see them, because we’re looking the wrong way, especially after the storm.

These lessons from the ark, may appear to some as somewhat flippant, but they are vital lessons for each of us to absorb and implement in our own lives. We all float through life on our own would-be “ark,” and have our own extended family for whom to care. Some of our personal ark’s residents are rather complicated, and at times may even appear to be as troublesome as wild animals. But ultimately, when we reach dry land, we begin to better appreciate all of the fellow passengers aboard the ark.

So, happy sailing.

May you be blessed.