Noach

"AND NOACH WENT INTO [THE ARK], AND HIS SONS, AND HIS WIFE..BECAUSE OF THE WATERS OF THE FLOOD. (Bereishis 7:7)"

Rashi explains that even Noach was of those who had little faith; he believed and he did not believe that the flood would come: and he did not enter the Ark until the waters forced him.

Rashi is in essence saying that although Hashem explicitly stated that He would bring the flood, Noach, nevertheless, did not fully believe that Hashem would actually execute this decree. Deeply buried within his heart was doubt that Hashem would indeed bring His intention to fruition and obliterate and destroy the world which He created.

This is mystifying. Noach was a Tzaddik. He possessed many zchusim. In his merit the entire world was saved. The Torah itself testifies to Noach's tzidkus "Noach Ish Tzaddik." If so, how could such a tremendous Tzaddik not fully believe what Hashem had explicitly told him, that He would bring a flood to destroy the world?

Moreover, Noach actively built the Ark with his bare hands, day in and day out, not for a few weeks, nor for a few months, nor for a few years, but for one hundred and twenty years. Thus, Noach's very hands were living testimony of faith that Hashem would bring the flood. While building the Ark he preached to the people of his generation of the impending doom. Noach warned them that unless they repented, Hashem will bring the flood. Thus, Noach's mouth and lips were also living testimony of his full-fledged faith and conviction that Hashem would bring the flood. If so, with such faith reflected by Noach's hands and lips that Hashem would bring the flood, How could Noach's heart not fully believe that Hashem would bring it?

Furthermore, Chazal (Bereishis Rabbah 30:7) state that the people of his generation ridiculed him, laughed at him, and embarrassed him. They called him a "foolish old man." Clearly, Noach suffered much abuse, humiliation and degradation for the ideal of conveying this message that Hashem will indeed bring about the flood. Surely, the strength and fortitude necessary to endure their remarks must reveal incredible faith and conviction.

Furthermore, how could Noach possibly not fully believe that Hashem would bring the flood? Upon seeing the reality of this drama beginning to unfold when "All the wellsprings of the great deep burst forth and the floodgates of the Heavens were opened" surely this should have been living proof that Hashem would bring the flood! How is it possible that even this stark reality that the flood is on its way, did not weaken the doubts that were deeply buried within the heart of Noach? How is it possible that despite this reality Noach did not enter the Ark until the waters rose so high that he was forced to enter?

How deep and complex is the psyche of the human being! A great man, even one of the calibre of Noach HaTzaddik can preach an ideal for one hundred and twenty years with his "hands" and his mouth, and even suffer abuse for the sake of promulgating this ideal, yet he himself does not fully believe in the truth of this ideal. Even upon seeing with his own eyes the flood beginning to unfold, he still does not fully believe that it will ever come to fruition. While most certainly Noach's lack of faith was infinitesimally minute and virtually undetectable, nevertheless, its very existence is significant.

We see from here a very powerful and frightening insight. A person could be sincere, and know and do what he has to do, even with much personal self-sacrifice, yet his heart may still not be with him entirely. We must learn from Noach that even the best of us may have internal conflicts where deep down our essence may not be in complete harmony with our actions.

May we be zoche to develop fully the feelings of our hearts through reflection and thought in Torah and Mussar. May we be privileged to do the will of Hashem and the Mitzvos of Hashem with a full heart. May Hashem help us to purify our hearts so that we can serve him in truth, VeTaher Libeinu LeAvdecho BeEmes, Amen.