Rav Yakov (Bereishis 06:09) Why do some of our Sages say that Noach was only a tzadik in his generation when it is possible to interpret this verse as praising him? A possible answer is that he was viewed negatively because he was not able to save his generation. This means that if he were a complete Tzadik, he would have saved them. The reason for his failure is that he chastised them for idolatry when in fact idolatry was a cover for their real sin of sexual immorality. Thus he was viewed negatively because he misunderstood reality and failed to know the truth and thereby lacked wisdom not piety. Consequently we learn the foundation of serving G-d is being concerned with putting all one’s efforts in determining the underlining Truth.
Apart from Noah and Yosef, who else is called a Tzaddik?
ReplyDeleteAnd the rabbis accuse Yosef of being prepared to sleep with Potiphar's wife, so this line of argumentation is very weak.
And in fact, Abraham couldn't save his generation or at least not Sodom and Gomorrah. So again, this is a very poor arguement he is presenting
If I remember correctly, the reason Avraham Avinu is considered superior to Noach is not because he saved his generation. Avos tells us he didn't but instead got the reward for them and previous 9, right. It's that he tried while Noach just went and built a boat.
DeleteMaybe the rabbis were jealous of him being called a Tzaddik. The Torah likes him, and he achieved what no other figure does - that G-d accepted his sweet sacrifice and pledges to no more curse the earth. So of course some of the rabbis want to paint him as a bad guy.
DeleteBtw, the article suggests that if Noah were a complete tzaddik, he could have saved the generation.
DeleteMoshe tried this but it is not clear that he succeeded.
He declared war on the golden calf people and killed 3000.
But the rest are killed off by Hashem during the 40 years.
Also, we know little about noach.
There are no stories about him before the flood.
Avraham did not base his intervention on sdom on his own tzidkut. He negotiated if there were 50 righteous etc. so he was a tzaddik but still could not save the 2 cities.
The Moshe Rabeinu analogy is incomplete.
DeleteMoshe saved us from the immediate punishment for the Golden Calf. The Tzadik did save the people. The people then used the opportunity to sin again with the meraglim. That was one time too many.
As for S'dom, it's not that Avraham Avinu didn't save S'dom. S'dom didn't save themselves. Avraham Avinu established the very lenient criteria they would need to survive and they didn't rise to the occasion.
Not everybody sinned
DeleteThose who were sinners received their punishment.
So Moshe was offered to be a Noah for Israel - But he turned down the offer. That didn't mean that he saves the golden calf people from being killed.
33 And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book.
35 And the LORD smote the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made
The initial response was "I'm going to wipe 'em all out and make you the new Avraham", remember?
DeleteWhat was Noah's הישג?
DeleteHis sweet savor was accepted by G-d, so this could have been used by Moshe to lessen the blow.
In any case, Moshe asked for atonement, and it was not accepted.
Chas vshalom that anyone should raise any minute claim against Moshe. I'm just saying that Noah was a tzaddik.
“Noach was tzadik only in his generation” No. Genesis 6: 5And the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6And it repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart. 7And the LORD said: ‘I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and creeping thing, and fowl of the air; for it repenteth Me that I have made them.’ 8But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Allow me today daf hayomi: Baba Bathra 165a Rab Judah said in the name of Rab: Most [people are guilty] of robbery [In trade or industry one commits robbery directly or indirectly by withholding due profits. Full price of labour or full value for money.], a minority of lewdness, and all of slander. Of slander? [How] could one imagine [such a thing]! — But the fine shades of slander [Lit., ‘dust’, i.e., not actual, but hinted, Or implied slander. (Cf. ‘Ar. 15b).] [were meant].
ReplyDeleteMy theory of Rab Judah in the name of Rab. Today most people sin of some form of thievery, even in Bnei Brak by righteous. Today especially in Bnei Brak extremely rare sexual immorality; everyone correctly knows who his father is etc. Today all people everyone even in Bnei Brak by righteous sin some form of slander, with left-handed compliments, winks and nods, jokes etc. It atrocious/outrageous the radical Left in Europe/USA/Canada/Israel etc. Yes I’m still fighting in NYS Court of Appeals my ex-Susan stole 55% of my TIAA pension from early 1994 with no end in sight. My full TIAA pension is now $2,615 monthly. I have 9 children and 19 grand-children, all is well, thank you God.