But is it the End of the World? [נח/Genesis 6:9-11:32]

B"H

This week's parshah is the well-known tale of Noach (נח). Noah (in Hebrew: Noach / נח), the only man deemed worthy in a world consumed by violence, is commanded to build an ark and place upon it two of every animal, his wife, and his family. Only those beings on the ark survive the torrential forty-day-and-night flood. Much is gleaned from the ending of this tale: the rainbow which G-D sends as his signal of his promise to never again destroy the world because of people's misdoings. Perhaps a less-remembered part of the parshah recalls a less "wholesome" Noah, who has become drunk and has exposed himself. Ham, one of Noah's sons, runs to tell his brothers Shem and Japheth of their father's naked state. Shem and Japheth immediately lift the garment to cover their father. Noah, once he is more lucid, praises Shem and Japheth and curses Ham. Also, the story of the Tower of Babel reveals itself in Parshat Noach - the tale of a unified people attempting to ascend to Heaven only to be stopped by G-D imbuing various languages into the builders of the Tower so they could no longer work together.

My thoughts about this parshah are many and scattered. What is Noah's wife and family doing in the midst of all these meshugas? How did Noah not question why G-D is about to destroy the very creature he made in last week's adventures (I mean, I guess direct Divine intervention would be certainly very scary, but still...)? What were Ham's intentions in talking to his brother's about his father? Perhaps he was seeking help? Why is it assumed that he was evil in his actions to tell his brothers about his father's state? Why was it so bad that G-D's creation came together to made a unified, collective community? Given the current state of affairs in the wold, in which religious, cultural, social, (linguistic????) barriers cause strife, could one view the unification of people's under one language as an idealistic goal? So many great issues with which to wrestle in this section. I could write an entire blog on just this parshah.

These thoughts have accumulated over the years. Each time I read this section, I find myself with a different interpretation or a different set of questions. This year, I have a new interpretation of the Flood (or at least one I haven't heard).Stay tuned for a quick bonus section on my thoughts of Noah's sons and how they can educate healthcare providers.

The Flood

Does the story of Noah really depict the end of the world? Sure. G-D has decimated every last living soul not aboard the "S.S. Noah." It's written in the text, clear as day. Noah did not question G-D's demands. i don't know about you, but I'd be asking myself all sorts of questions: "Why me? Why destroy the entire world? Can't we find another way to punish evildoers? What will happen to my community?"But no. Complacent Noah does as commanded. And all for G-D to be wrong and give a big rainbow as a big "I'm sorry."

But, perhaps the emphasis should not be on the destruction of the world, but on a new beginning.

G-D openly ADMITS WRONGDOING in destroying the world. Pause. G-D, the Almighty, the Creator, the One Noah does not question, the Big Cheese who has the power to obliterate Creation in an instant...admits wrongdoing. (Not to mention this act of admitting error comes AFTER G-D passes judgement on mankind for their misguided ways...awkward...). I can't drive this point home hard enough. No. G-D doesn't get off the hook here. A rainbow is not going to convince me that all is well and back to normal...because I think that's the point of this story.

We must remember that people are imperfect. This story, regardless of your personal faith, spirituality, religion, or lack thereof, should find comfort in this imperfection, as it means we can (and should expect to make more) mistakes. The Flood isn't the end of the world that once was, but the beginning of a new world signified by the rainbow...a passing phase (however scary, permanent, or gruesome) along the continuum of life. As a people, we should strive to forgive and support one another, thereby granting others entrance into the "new world" devoid of guilt from mistakes...for each of us will inevitably be in need of another person to grant us access into the next phase when we stumble. Sure, the humility from admitting error is sometimes excruciatingly difficult, but with the support of one another, humans have the awesome power to inspire and motivate others to find ways of "moving on" from mistakes. Hopefully, the new world will be even better than the world in which we previously lived.

As I find my way through medical school, I can't help but feel a bit like Noah: commanded by "higher authorities" to study all day. Sometimes feeling as if I'm drowning in a flood of endless material to cram into my brain. I take tests each week which throw me for loops. Not-so-happy thoughts have followed the majority of tests thus far ("the world is ending...I'll never make it through medical school...I'm not cut out for this...etc"). I think my realization in rereading this parshah this year is that it's OK to stumble. We all do. I'm **STILL** ALLOWED to stumble. Slowly but surely, I will gain my ground and find my way to success, and I can already feel it now. (Having as great a support system as I have had here, I'm sure I'll find my permanent stability in the near future).

I should learn from the tenacity of Noah who weathered the greatest storm. However, I think the Bible's roundabout journey to this message cannot quite compete with the simple but beautiful phrasing expressed by Dori, everyone's favorite Pacific blue regal blue tang from Finding Nemo: "Just keep swimming." As long as I continue the pursuit, I know I'll find great success in my perseverance.

Bonus Mini-Thoughts on the Story of Noah's Sons and the Medical Community:
 
Transition to the brief story of Noah's nakedness. Noah curses Ham for running to tell his brothers, while Shem and Japheth are praised for their assistance. Whoa there...I call shenanigans. Why? Was Ham trying to make fun of his dad? I don't see that written anywhere. Shem and Japheth would not have even known about their father's state had it not been for Ham. Who's to say Ham wasn't trying to get some assistance, or wasn't sure what to do?

Aha, but I think therein lies the problem.

If Ham's intentions were to mock his father, then of course it is evident why Noah praised his other sons and cursed Ham. End of story...move on. But, if Ham meant no ill will...where are we left logically in deciphering Noah's choice of praise or condemnation? Problem is, we can argue Ham's intention until the next time Parshat Noach is read, and I guarantee we will not achieve resolution.

But it doesn't matter. At the end of the day, Shem and Japheth provided comfort, and Ham did not assist in re-clothing his father.

Ham did not act.

Acting upon something is powerful, as words are only so comforting. Words only provide a promise, but they do not provide tangibility. I think of the patient waiting for hours on end in the emergency room being promised that the wait is only "a few more minutes" by the intake staff. Or a patient who is still uncertain of his or her health despite the physician's assurance that "everything will be OK." For those seeking medical help, these words are not so comforting. All the patient desires is medical attention or some tangible thing to find some hope. Words are not meaningful.

Turn your attention further to the concern of Shem and Japheth, redressing Noah in perhaps the most awkwardly described backwards walk ... just so to not see their father's naked state. Shem and Japheth, even though their father was not aware of it, helped their father with the purest intentions of dignity and respect.

The medical community can learn a lot from the story of Noah's three children. We should strive not to simply verbalize our concerns (or make light of a situation, depending on your personal reading), as did Ham, but actually ACT upon them in the ways of Shem and Japheth. I'm not a physician (yet), but from my limited experiences in medicine as an EMT, I have come to see that the little things medical providers do for their patients distinguish good healthcare providers from excellent ones. Provide patients with decency and respect, even if you have nothing to give them but unfortunate uncertainty and a bit of privacy. Grand words and promises of restored health are great and all, but sometimes, a hug or simply being a listening ear for someone to validate their health concerns can be just as therapeutic.