Noach - נח : “Noah”
Torah : Genesis 6:9-11:32
Haftarah : Isaiah 54:1-55:5
Gospel : Matthew 3–4

Thought for the Week:

Rabbi Eleazar also said, “God would have created the world even for just one righteous man … Rabbi Chiyya bar Abba said also in the name of Rabbi Yochanon: “The world endures for even just one righteous man, as it is said [Proverbs 10:25]: ‘But the righteous is the foundation of the world.’” (Yoma 38b)

Commentary:

Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God. (Genesis 6:9)

In Rabbinic literature and later esoteric teachings, the person of the tzadik (righteous man) began to take on important theological functions. A true tzadik (righteous person) came to be regarded as one who was perfect and sinless, inspired by the Holy Spirit and on whom the Divine Presence rested. His prayers were always answered. “The effective prayer of a tzadik (righteous person) can accomplish much.” (James 5:16)

Even more astounding, Judais...