This week the story of the Flood takes center stage. It’s one most of us have heard, perhaps even know well. But the beauty of being able to take a ‘deeper dive’ — and the way Mark has divided the parsha this week is intended to facilitate that — is that there are things that too often get overlooked. But that turn out to REALLY ‘resonate’ at “such a time as this.”
The story begins in Genesis chapter 6, and describes a landscape that, except perhaps for the overt demonic elements, like the Nephilim, look more like today than CNN will admit. Especially the description of the preponderance of utter Evil. But that’s not why the phrase “as it was in the Days of Noah” should resonate.
And, as Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship points out in the Sabbath day midrash, even though he’s talked about that aspect before, more than once, there are some things today, given events even in recent weeks, that THIS time around, well – pay attention.
The Erev Shabbat reading this week covers from chapter 6 through 9, and the those ‘days of Noach’ that follow the advent of the rainbow:
The haftorah reading this week, from Isaiah chapter 54, includes the familiar promise that “No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper,” but is followed by an arguably less-familiar admonition: that, “every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment thou shall condemn.”
If these really are what they seem to be…days that mirror those both before and after the time of Noach and his ark…then something may need to change in the way we respond to that Evil.
“Noach: The Days of the Flood – AI Consent and Time to Prepare”
Service information:
Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship worship services and teachings are broadcast live every Sabbath, via Paltalk. (www.paltalk.com has both the link, and the app.) The “room name” is “Walking Torah with Shabbat Shalom Mesa,” and can be found via the paltalk search, then bookmarked.
Erev Shabbat services begin at 7:00 PM Mountain Time Friday evenings (9 PM Eastern, 8 PM Central)
Live Sabbath teachings begin shortly after 11 AM Mountain time on Sabbath day (Saturday).
email: mark@markniwot.com
The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash, via Hebrew Nation Radio.