Promises, Promises…

So the first “promise” of the Torah depends on the weather – really? In the realm of G!d’s power to respond to the world, rain was the retribution of choice. Without delving into the questions of theodicy, justice versus mercy, punishment – G!d used massive amounts of water (משמים) to physically express negative opinions toward the actions of people on earth.

This flood (מבול) would destroy (almost) everything (שָׁחַת). Rashi says that the word for flood indicates ruin (בלה), bringing down to a lower level from the heights (הוביל), and confusion (בלל) – that last of which is related to the word of the tower in the latter part of Parashat Noach. Beyond these explanations, Sforno relates the word for flood to that of something lost (מפלה). The deluge has certainly caused confusion even until today as we wonder about the lengths G!d took toward the point of punishing evil – or perhaps question how the creation survived such a disaster.

Although the covenant won’t be made until after the flood recedes, G!d promises Noah that they will establish this agreement, even before he and his family embark upon the ark and their unknown (yet promised) future. Out of this natural disaster, as G!d foretold, new beginnings would arise. So out of the ruin, destruction, bringing down, loss, and confusion, G!d restored society similarly to the first creation. (Although these circumstances occur again, as witnessed at Babel.)

The highs and lows of life can feel like flood waters building up and then retreating – riding the waves of circumstances, physicality, spiritual experiences, interactions, world events. Yet G!d seeks a covenant of faith and reliance with us, even thousands of years after the stories of Noah’s family.

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This installation of my Dissertation Diary involves catching up with my Intensive Greek chevrutah, who is also in the stage of figuring out a topic and proposal. We discussed our ideas, and hopefully will begin meeting to encourage and bounce ideas off each other again. I’m excited for both of us to find intriguing projects!