Waters raging. Unprecedented chaos. The world coming to an end.
Of course, I'm talking about Noah and the Great Flood. The world had devolved into thievery, immorality, and disrespect. Not exactly the vision that Hashem had when creating the world. Time for a fresh start, a deep cleanse. "Enter into the Teiva - the Ark". Noah and his family who had remained moral and loyal would ride out the literal and proverbial waves in a triple-decker, 450-foot long wooden ship, fashioned without power tools.
What is the timeless takeaway that can glean from this story read in the Torah this week?
At times, crises can arise. A deluge of worry and trouble can engulf us. Floodgates of financial or medical hardship might overwhelm us. Torrential civil (or not so civil) disputes may erupt, threatening to wreck home and work, waves rippling across communities and civilizations. Destruction and mayhem are all but certain. Is there any way out? Can we rise above?
"Enter into the Teiva." A little Hebrew word play. Teiva means "ark", but it can also mean "word". (Get it? Word-play). Hashem recommends that we delve into the words of prayer and Torah study to reconnect and to recharge. These capsules of inspiration serve as our floatation devices, ensuring that we don't sink into the quagmire. They allow us to ride a virtual zipline suspended above the noise and chaos. They allow us to maintain our direction and focus, protect our values, and achieve our goals.
The world we live in can certainly have its tsunamis and hurricanes. Jump into the lifeboat with a word of prayer or Torah, and discover a space of serenity.