Parashat Noah- Protecting Ourselves from the Flood
The Gemara in Masechet Zevahim tells that during the time of Noah there was an enormous creature called the Re'em. This animal was so large, the Gemara comments, that it could not possibly fit in the ark together with Noah and the other animals. The Gemara thus asks how the Re'em was saved from the floodwaters. If it could not enter the ark, how was it able to survive the flood that destroyed all creatures outside the ark?
The Gemara initially suggests that Noah perhaps brought a young Re'em onto the ark. Since the animal had yet to reach its full size, it was able to fit onto the ark and thereby escape the flood. But the Gemara quickly rejects this answer, noting that even an infant Re'em could not have been accommodated by Noah's ark. The Gemara thus answers that the Re'em stood outside the ark during the flood but managed to survive by keeping its trunk thrust inside the ark.
At first glance, this discussion appears to address a purely trivial matter, of how this creature was able to survive despite its inability to find refuge on the ark. The obvious question arises, why did the Gemara bother to explore this issue? Of what significance to us is the fact that the Re'em had to remain outside the ark during the flood with its nose thrust inside?
Rav Haim Kreiswerth Z"L, my esteemed Rosh Yeshiva and former Chief Rabbi of Antwerp, explained that in truth the Gemara here addresses a far more critical issue than the practical matter of the Re'em's survival. The Gemara here raises the question of how a person can protect himself from the "floodwaters" of immorality, corruption and falsehood in a generation such as Noah's, which was characterized by depravity and decadence. Noah, his family and the animals he brought with him were protected by residing inside the ark; they survived by isolating themselves entirely from the outside world. Correspondingly, there are those who can withdraw and seclude themselves from the decrepit society around them, and thereby find refuge from the spiritually hostile influences exerted around them. The Gaon of Vilna, for example, spent his entire life in his Bet Midrash (study hall) and even kept the shutters closed in order to avoid any exposure to the corrupt values and lifestyles of the outside world. Yeshivah students, like Noah, are able to protect themselves by remaining inside the "ark," by exposing themselves only to Torah and Torah scholars. But what of the rest of us, who, like the Re'em, are unable to remain on the "ark"? Most people do not have the privilege of withdrawing from society; the majority of Jews must engage in the outside world to earn a living and support their families. How can they protect themselves from the raging "floodwaters" of immorality?
The Gemara initially suggests that these Jews are saved by entering the "ark" at a young age, by receiving a strong Torah education during their youth. The knowledge and values absorbed during one's early years could perhaps protect him from foreign influences even after he reaches adulthood and exposes himself to the spiritual ills of the generation. But the Gemara immediately responds that even the young Re'em cannot fit on the ark; even a strong, comprehensive Torah background does not suffice to guarantee a person protection from the "flood" of depravity he confronts as an adult. Regardless of how much Torah a person studied as a youngster, exposure to a culture of immorality threatens his spiritual well-being just as the floodwaters threatened to kill the Re'em.
The Gemara thus concludes that the Re'em could be spared only by thrusting its trunk into the ark. Indeed, most Jews must, by necessity, engage on some level with general society and expose themselves to the "floodwaters." They key to their survival lies in their constant connection to the "ark," to Torah learning. If they can keep their "noses" inside the ark, if they maintain a strong, ongoing association with Torah learning and values, they can, like the Re'em, withstand the otherwise overpowering floodwaters.
Unfortunately, our generation bears close resemblance to the society of Noah's time. We, too, are surrounded by a "flood" of corruption, deceit and immorality. For those of us who are not privileged to seclude ourselves inside the "ark" of full-time Torah learning, the only means of survival is frequent Torah study sessions and regular attendance in Torah classes. If one must expose himself to the mighty current of depravity that is today's world, then he is obliged to protect himself by remaining connected to the sanctity and purity of the Torah, which enables him to resist the harmful influences of the society around him.
