Symbol today: The Photo Ark Project
https://www.joelsartore.com/video/the-photo-ark-animal-ambassadors/
What are ways in which you have thought about the ark as a metaphor or symbol in your own life?
Lack of human control
The term [teiva/ark] suggests a boxlike craft made to float on water but without rudder or sail or any navigational aid. It does not use the services of a crew. The use of tevah is intended to emphasize that the fate of the occupants is to be determined solely by the will of God and not attributed to any human skill. By contract, the hero of the Mesopotamian stories builds a regular ship and employs boatmen to navigate it. Nahum Sarna. JPS Commentary p. 52
- Have you thought about the ark as a metaphor for lack of control? How does it strike you?
Ark as refuge of Shabbat and as Torah
There are several aspects of the sacred work of the ark which relates to each of us. As it says in the Zohar (Tik. Zoh. 54b) the word Noah points to the holy Shabbat, for on that day there is both supernal rest and rest below. [And when the text says] Noah found favor in the eyes of God (matza khen)...by means of Shabbat one has the potential to escape evil...Shabbat is an aspect of the ark that protects from the turbulent waters of the flood, like Shabbat when the souls of Israel "shelters in the shadow of your wings (Ps. 36:8)" The Shabbat is the Ark of Noah under whose wings they shelter...it is the shelter below, a corner of purity, where the Divine can dwell...
Additionally the ark hints at the holy Torah, for after the Holy One gave the Torah there is a king of protection [for us] from the corruption of the generation of the flood...In the ark there were three levels which correspond to the three periods in a human's life - youth, middle age, elder years - and in each period there are different yetzers (appetites/urges) particular to that period...The power of Torah...is a pure corner of one's life protecting one from corruption....[Additionally] the Torah has the power of [providing] equanimity which is the opposite of confusion [Heb. bilbul a word play on mabul, or the flood].
(Netivot Shalom teaching on Parshat Noah)
- In what ways is Shabbat a refuge in your life?
- In what ways can you imagine having it be a refuge?
- Have you ever thought of Torah as a means of equanimity?
Instruction for managing anger and forgiveness
Now, regarding the Ark, consider it in light of the teaching (Pesahim 113b): “There are three sorts of people whom God loves: one who does not get angry; one who does not become inebriated, and one who does retaliate for slights of honor.” The “one who does not get angry” is that person who does not manifest anger. The “one who does not get inebriated” is that person who is settled in his or her mind, balanced, and so knows, recognizes and trusts the Creator. The “one who does not retaliate” is that person who is able to remove anger even from her or his heart, so that in their heart they hold no grievance against another.
These three are suggested in the instructions for the Ark: “Make yourself an ark of gopher wood (atzei gopher)” means: do not get angry. Bitumen (gaphrit) signifies anger. In making an Ark of gopher wood you are to enclose anger, and not manifest it. “Make it an ark with compartments (kinim)” means: do not get inebriated, rather maintain inner balance. “Compartments (kinim)” are chambers, like one who has many chambers in their house has to be settled in their mind to know the location of each chamber and its use... “Cover it (vekhapharta) inside and out with pitch” means: be forbearing. “Cover it (vekhapharta)” signifies forgiving (tekhaper) from the depths of your heart, so that nothing remains of any anger against your fellow. (Mei Hashiloah)
- How do you relate to this three-part instruction around anger and forgiveness?
- How do the three parts relate to one another based on your experience?
The power of prayer and speech
תיבה = chest, box, case; ark; word (esp. written); (music) bar, measure; (rabbinic) Holy Ark; letter box
When God tells Noah to enter the ark -- so teaches the Baal Shem Tov -- God is also saying, "Enter the word." Go deeply into the word. Which word? The words of prayer. God's instruction to Noah is also an instruction to all of us. We're meant to go deeply into the words of prayer.
Some interpretations continue: just as the ark had three floors or levels, our use of words has different levels: mundane or ordinary speech on the bottom floor, conscious speech on middle floor, and holy speech on the top floor...
The instructions in Torah continue: Noah should make a tzohar, a window, in the ark to let in light. We need to make spaces for light in our words, to ensure that every word we speak is one which brings light to the world. In everything we do, we need to make sure that divinity can shine in. (Commentary by R. Rachel Barenblatt on Parshat Noah)
When we utter prayers our words should be where we are. That is, we should not get lost in distracting thoughts (machshavot zarot) such that we are somewhere else as our words go forth in a synagogue. Instead, we do well to contemplate the word of prayer in mind before we utter it with our mouths, and to set an intention to utter it with heartfelt intention (kavannat halev). However, if we get lost in our distracting thoughts, immediately before we express the word with our mouths we are actually somewhere else. This then is called "passing before the ark (oveir life hatevah)" for we pass on (oveir) from the place we are standing immediately before (lifnei) uttering the word (tevah). That is, before we express the word, we have already moved on to another captivating thought. (Maggid of Mezeritch)
- Have you thought about the ark as a model for healthy speech or intense prayer?
- What allows you to stay less distracted?
- What models do you use to help you think about thoughtful speech?
Speaking Truth
Know that there are many openings to exit the darkness. But a person can be blind and not know the path. Know that by means of truth one can find the opening, for the essence of the shining light is God, as it is written "YHVH is my light and salvation (Ps. 27)" Lying banishes God, as it is written "do not take God's name in vain (le-shav)", the shav casts out God, because "a speaker of falsehood will not be established before God's eyes" But through truth one can dwell with God, as is written "God is close to all who call on God (fm Ashrei)" When God is with you, God lights up the path to emerge from darkness, the [obstacle] that is blocking one in their prayer. As is written YHVH is my light. And this is the meaning of "make an opening in the ark" Rashi says that some say this is a window, and some say this is a shining jewel [that provides light]. The distinction between the two is that a window allows other light to enter, it does not generate its own. When there is no light [to enter] there is darkness. Not so with the jewel of light, which can light up even in the darkness. For there are some whose words are like the windows and they don't have the potential to light [the room] by themselves...know that this all is according to the extent of truthfulness. [Remember] God is the essence of light and the essence of truth, and the essence of longing for God is only through truth. And this is the meaning of the verse [in Noah] that [the window] should be "a cubit from the top" (Amah Techalna Milemal'a]. Amah is the five sources (motzaot?), made of fire and water, that help you to see that your words exit truthfully from your mouth, and thus you will long to have God dwell with you, to light the path for you. The phrase Amah Techalna Milemal'a is an abbrieviation for EMET, for by means of truth the divine desires from above to dwell with humans below, as it says that God is close to all who call. And thus the instruction to "place an opening in the side" of the ark, that is the tevah/word that goes out truthfully will provide you an opening in the darkness in which you find yourself. (Rebbe Nahman of Bratslav, Likkutei Moharan)