29 Oct Noach’s Crowning Virtue
Perhaps the most ‘titled’ person in the entire Tanach is Noach. The Torah tells us that he was an, “Ish tzadik tamim… es HaElokim hishalech Noach – A man of righteousness, whole and unblemished… [and] he walked with G-d.” Let’s take a moment to study each of these enormous accolades.
‘Ish tzadik’ has many meanings. Firstly, the term tzadik is used for one who sustains and nurtures others. Thus, Yoseif was known as Yoseif HaTzadik for he supported the entire world when he was Viceroy in Egypt. Similarly, the Gemora tells us about Binyamin HaTzadik, a certain charity collector who, through great personal sacrifice, earned his title when he supported a widow and her seven children. It is, therefore, a fitting title for Noach who nurtured the entire world population while they were with him in the teivah, the ark.
Tzadik also denotes one who exhibits the strength to overcome immoral temptation. Thus, once again Yoseif was called Yoseif HaTzadik because he avoided the wiles of the great temptress, the wife of Potifar. This is also therefore a fitting description of Noach because, while the entire world sank to the depths of moral depravity, he maintained his sterling moral fiber. The Rabbeinu Efraim adds that the term ish tzadik also refers to one who excels at prayer, a man of great piety.
The second title, tamim, means one who is unblemished, a person who is free from greed, laziness, anger, jealously, etc.
And then we have the third title: that ‘he walked with G-d.’ This is very great praise for we know that to live with G-d at all times is the very essence of life’s mission. As the posuk attests, “Ma Hashem Elokecha sho-eil me’imach, ki im l’yirah – What does Hashem your G-d ask from you but that you should fear Him.” So too, Shlomo HaMelech says in Koheles, “Sof davar hakol nishma es Elokim y’rah v’es mitzvosov shemor, ki zeh kol ha-adom – After everything is analyzed, fear G-d and hearken to His mitzvos for that is all of man.” Thus, the achievement of walking with G-d is the ultimate fulfillment of a lifetime.
And yet, as great as these titles are, Noach earned another title that surpassed all three of these. What, you might ask, can possibly top these three lofty accomplishments? The posuk says, “Eileh toldos Noach, Noach ish tzadik – These are the accountings of Noach, Noach who was a righteous man…” Note that the word Noach is repeated. Why the redundancy? The Tosefos HaRosh answers that the second Noach is a further accolade about him and it should read like this, “These are the accounts of Noach, the man who was noach,” i.e. gentle and easygoing. The Rabbeinu Tovia elaborates further that it says Noach twice to tell us that he was ‘Noach lebrios’ and ‘Noach LaMakom,” he got along with people and with Hashem. He says further that this is consistent with the Mishna in Pirkei Avos, “Kol sh’ruach hab’rios nochah heimenu, ruach HaMakom nochah heimenu – Whoever finds favor in his fellow man can be assured that he finds favor in the Eyes of Hashem.”
On the posuk, “V’Noach motza chein b’einei Hashem – That Noach found favor in the eyes of Hashem,” it is said that the Chofetz Chaim stated, “Whoever is easygoing finds favor in the eyes of G-d.” The Chida, in his sefer Nachal Kedumim, says, “Kol mishe-eino ko’eiv, motza chein – Anyone who avoids anger, finds favor,” and thus the word noach, which means gentle, has the same letters of the word chein.
How amazing that the quality of gentleness, an easygoing temperament, a cultivated spirit of eidelkeit, should tower above the triple accomplishments of ish tzadik, tamim, and ‘walking with G-d.’ How important it is therefore to train ourselves to handle frustrations and problems in alternate ways rather than flying off the handle and losing our cool. Problem solving, compromise, tolerance, giving in, looking away, are all talents that help to achieve this rarified trait.
Young men and ladies when dating would do well to look for this virtue in their prospective suitor, and marriage partners can do worlds of good for their marriages when improving in this vital area.
May we merit to follow in the footsteps of this awesome man, and in that zechus may we earn all of Torah’s blessings.