Date: 20.10.25/ 28 Tishrei 5786

Parsha: Noach: Genesis 6:9-22

📖 Parashat Noach: Genesis 6:9–22

🧔 Who Was Noach?

Noach was a very special person. Even though most people in the world were behaving badly—stealing, hurting others, and forgetting about Hashem (God)—Noach was righteous. That means he tried to do the right thing and listened to Hashem.

🌍 What Was Happening in the World?

Hashem saw that the world had become full of violence and corruption. People were not being kind or fair. So Hashem decided to start over by sending a big flood to clean the earth. But He wanted to save Noach and his family because Noach was good.

🛶 Hashem’s Instructions to Noach

Hashem told Noach to build a big boat called a teivah (ark). It had to be:

• Very long, wide, and tall
• Made of special wood (gopher wood)
• Waterproofed with pitch (like tar)
• With rooms inside for animals and people

Hashem told Noach to bring:

• Two of every kind of animal (a male and a female)
• Food for his family and the animals
• His wife, sons, and their wives

Noach listened carefully and did everything Hashem commanded.

✨ Key Learning Points

1. Doing the Right Thing Matters

Even when everyone around Noach was doing the wrong thing, he stayed good. This teaches us that we should try to do the right thing—even if it’s hard or unpopular.

2. Listening to Hashem

Noach didn’t argue or complain. He trusted Hashem and followed His instructions exactly. That’s a great example of emunah (faith) and bitachon (trust).

3. Taking Care of the World

Hashem was sad that people were hurting each other and the world. We learn that Hashem wants us to be kind, honest, and take care of the earth and animals.

4. Preparation and Responsibility

Noach had a big job—building the ark and preparing for the flood. He worked hard and took responsibility. This shows us the importance of being prepared and doing our duties.

🕊️ Takeaway Message

Noach’s story reminds us that one person can make a big difference. By being kind, honest, and faithful, we can help make the world a better place—just like Noach did.

Thought of Rabbi Sacks

🧠 Rabbi Sacks' Teaching on Parashat Noach (For Children)

🌧️ What Happens in the Story?

• People in the world were behaving badly, hurting each other and ignoring Hashem.
• Hashem decided to send a Flood to clean the world and start again.
• Noach was the only person who was good and listened to Hashem.
• Hashem told Noach to build a big ark and bring his family and animals inside.
• After the Flood, Noach offered a thank-you sacrifice to Hashem.
• Hashem made a promise (covenant) never to destroy the world by flood again.

🧩 The Big Idea: Four Kinds of Responsibility

Rabbi Sacks explains that the Torah tells four stories before Avraham appears:

1. Adam and Eve – They didn’t take personal responsibility. They blamed others.
2. Cain and Abel – Cain didn’t take moral responsibility. He said, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
3. Noach and the Flood – Noach didn’t take collective responsibility. He saved himself but didn’t try to help others.
4. Tower of Babel – People didn’t take spiritual (ontological) responsibility. They tried to be like God instead of listening to Him.

💡 Key Lessons for Kids

1. Responsibility Means Caring

• We must take care of ourselves, others, and the world.
• Noach was good, but he didn’t try to help others change. Rabbi Sacks says that’s a missed chance.

2. Being Good Isn’t Enough

• Rabbi Sacks teaches that being righteous is great—but being a hero means helping others too.

3. We Can Make a Difference

• Even one person can change the world. Rabbi Sacks encourages children to be agents of hope.

🌈 Final Thought

Rabbi Sacks believed that Judaism is a religion of hope. Every mitzvah and story teaches us that we can make the world better—if we take responsibility and act with kindness.

Around the Shabbat Table

🟦 Question 1: Why did Hashem choose Noach to build the ark and be saved from the flood?

Answer:
Hashem chose Noach because he was righteous and blameless in a world full of corruption and violence. Noach “walked with God,” meaning he tried to live a good and honest life, even when others didn’t. This teaches us that doing the right thing matters—even when it’s hard or unpopular.

🟨 Question 2: What does it mean to take responsibility, and did Noach do that?

Answer:
Taking responsibility means caring about others and trying to help when something is wrong. Noach took personal responsibility by listening to Hashem and building the ark. But Rabbi Sacks teaches that Noach didn’t take collective responsibility—he didn’t try to help others change or warn them. We learn that being good ourselves is important, but helping others is even better.

🟩 Question 3: What can we learn from the way Noach followed Hashem’s instructions exactly?

Answer:
Noach didn’t argue or delay—he trusted Hashem and did everything he was told. This shows us the value of emunah (faith) and bitachon (trust). It also teaches us to be careful and thoughtful when we’re given a task, especially one that helps others or protects life.

Parsha summary adapted from Chabad.org and Rabbi Sacks Legacy

The weekly mitzvot are adapted from the PAJES Primary Parashat Hashavua Curriculum, and form the basis of the school's PSHE curriculum for all pupils alongside the Torah, Well Being and Me curriculum.