Bereishis 5784 – The Tree of Life

dvar Noach 5784

“The dove came back to him toward evening, and there in its bill was a plucked-off olive leaf. Then Noah knew that the waters had decreased on the earth.” – Genesis 8:11, JPSN

According to Genesis Rabbah, the olive leaf that the dove brought to Noah was plucked from a tree on the Mount of Olives, inasmuch that “the land of Israel was not inundated by the Flood” (Ramban, Genesis 8:11, sefaria.org), based on the verse, “a land not rained upon in the day of indignation” (Ezekiel 22:24). This implies a parallel between the judgment that fell upon the earth in Noah’s time, and that of the future, although not in the form of an actual flood, as promised through the sign of the rainbow.

Another view contends that “The gates of the garden of Eden were opened for the dove and from there she brought the leaf” (ibid.). This can be construed as an allusion to Gan Eden in Heaven, implying a connection to the peace of renewal bestowed upon the world, after the flood, as compared to the peace of restoration brought with the promise of chayei olam (eternal life) for the righteous, after the Geulah (Redemption) and Tehillas haMeisim (Resurrection of the Dead).

After the flood, the Ark rested upon Mt. Ararat, the highest mountain in the world at that time. In the future, after the flood of opposing voices to G-d that will carry many astray, the prophet Isaiah writes of those who remain true to H’Shem, “Even them will I bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer; their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices shall be acceptable upon Mine altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples” (Isaiah 56:7, JPS 1917 Tanach).

dvar Bereishis 5784

“The heavens declare the glory of G-d, and the firmament showeth His handiwork.” – Psalm 19:2, JPS 1917 Tanach

The luminosity of G-d’s Kavod (Glory) prevails, when one with spiritual eyes looks upon the heavens. The earth, too, contains the beauty of G-d’s essence revealed to the sensitive soul. Chassidus teaches that He sustains the world through His Kavod. What we call nature is maintained by G-d’s nature, His invisible attributes that make up all things. Yet, He is at once immanent in the world, and transcendent, above and beyond the world. G-d’s name, Elokim has the same gematria (numerical value) as HaTeva (the natural order); so, this connection implies that nature is a shield or veil that only partially reveals G-d’s Glory. “The whole earth is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:3). “Do I not fill the heaven and the earth?” (Jeremiah 23:24).

Additionally, just as G-d sustains the world, so does the soul empower the body. Its spiritual properties maintain the health and well-being of the body, like its spiritual power source. Adam and Eve had a direct connection to H’Shem, through their souls, that brought life to them, as is written, “The L-RD G-d formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7, JPS). Therefore, every breath that we take is a re-enactment of the original infusing of soul and body. Yes, each and every breath we take is a gift from H’Shem as are our very lives.