Waiting for Evaporation

There are times that feel like a deluge – of information, emotions, tasks, and other things over which we cannot control. I found some encouragement in this current flood of pain, loss, confusion, anger, sadness, unrequited hope in this week’s parsha, Noach.

As we read the parshiyot each year, they take on a different meaning and depth as we experience the events surrounding us. During this deeply painful time, and reading the story of Noah which resonates with sadness, I found a glimmer of something, maybe the idea that once the forces causing destruction evaporate, we can look outside and assess what the work ahead of us will be in a new way.

We have been praying for two weeks that the captives will be freed, that loss of life will end, that we can wage peace. The waters are still raging all around us, our own tears flowing collectively as we continue to ask for wholeness.

Pre-sunset over the NY Harbour

Genesis 8:6-12

When it was the end of forty days, Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made

And he sent the raven out, who flew all about until the waters had dried up from upon the earth.

Then (Noah) sent the dove out from there (in order) to inspect whether the waters were evaporated (lightened) from upon the face of the ground.

But the dove found no place to rest for the sole of its foot, so it turned around and came back to the ark because the waters were upon the face of the entire earth. Noah stretched out his hand and took the dove, bringing it in so that the dove was in the ark again.

(Noah) waited longingly until seven days later, then he again sent the dove out from the ark.

The dove came in to (the ark) as the evening approached, and see – a plucked-off olive leaf (was) in its beak. Then Noah deduced that the waters had evaporated from upon the earth.

After that he waited until seven days later and sent the dove out, but (the dove) did not return to him ever again.