Parshat Noach

Dear STOCS Friend:

Noah built his ark thousands of years ago. Over the span of one hundred and twenty years, Noah constructed an ark that housed his family and all types of animals. It  protected them from the fury of the great flood and aftermath.

On one level it would be very difficult  for anyone today to copy Noah’s Herculean efforts. However, there is one aspect of the ark that applies to all of us today. Hashem instructs Noah:  צֹהַר תַּעֲשֶׂה לַתֵּבָה You shall make a tzohar for the ark. There are many different opinions as to what the צֹהַר tzohar is. Rashi comments:  אבן טובה המאירה להם it was a precious stone that gave light to them. It may also  mean a window, in order to have light in the ark.

With the passage of the Yom Tovim 5785, we need to keep the spiritual excitement alive. The spiritual light that was shining brightly in Tishrei need not be diminished at all. We need to harness our everyday experiences into spiritual awareness. Holiness, joy, and religious fervor can be found in the mundane as well. When we infuse God awareness in all of our actions; our eating, sleeping and business will be  different.

All we need to do is bring more and meaningful light into our lives, actions, and daily practices. Just as a small flame in darkness can guide and warm, so too can small acts of kindness, moments of reflection, and words of Torah transform an otherwise ordinary day into something extraordinary.

This is a lesson for Cheshvan—that we have the power to light up the emptiness. Instead of seeing Cheshvan as a time lacking in celebration, we can embrace it as an opportunity to create our own spiritual moments, to make holiness part of the everyday. When we light up this month with intention, it becomes a sanctuary of its own time for the sacred connection that doesn’t rely on the framework of holidays but is built from our own personal devotion and dedication.

Consider the world around us. Every action has a ripple effect, and every choice we make can bring warmth and healing. As we engage with others, let our words be filled with kindness. As we go about our routines, let our hearts be open to gratitude and generosity.

I look forward to seeing you in shul as we recite Hallel marking the first day of Cheshvan.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Evan Shore