“And the earth had become corrupt before Hashem, and the earth had become filled with lawlessness. And Hashem saw the earth and behold it was corrupted, for all flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth… ‘behold I am about to bring the Flood-waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which there is breath of life from under the heavens; everything that is in the earth shall expire'”.
Bereishit 6:11-12,17
Because of the generation’s sins, Hashem brought the Great Flood, to purify and renew the world. Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (known as the Ba’al Hatanya, 1745-1812) taught that the Flood was like a giant mikvah (spiritually cleansing waters). Noach found favor in the eyes of Hashem (God), so Hashem told him to create an ark, to save himself and his family.
“And the rain was upon the earth for 40 days and 40 nights”. Rashi comments that later (verse 17) it says, “And the flood was upon the earth for 40 days”.
Bereishit 7:12
Why the change in terminology? Rashi explains that at first, Hashem brought down the rain with mercy, so that if the people would repent, the rain would turn to rain of blessing. When they didn’t repent, the rain turned into a flood.
We see from here Hashem’s great kindness. Even though the generation had committed many sins, if they would have repented, Hashem would have forgiven them, showering them with rain of blessing. This is despite the fact that their repentance would only have been out of fear of the flood.
This is the power of repentance. All the more so when one repents out of love, to do the will of his Father in Heaven, he will receive the blessing, “and I will pour upon you blessing without end” (Malachi 3:10; Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch shlit”a, Ta’am Vada’at, pg. 34). Although the generation did not take the opportunity to better their ways, Hashem gave humanity a new chance to start afresh; Noach and his family fathered a new world.
Even when we make mistakes, which can distance us from our truer selves, God gives an abundance of opportunities for us to return to goodness and truth, to start again with a fresh slate.
By Shmuel Simcha Sampson
Shmuel Simcha Sampson has been studying Torah in yeshivot in the New York area throughout his childhood, teen, and young adult years. Currently, he is enrolled in a program that focuses on studying Jewish law, in Yeshivat Ohr Reuven, in Monsey, NY. Over the years, he has enjoyed being a TorahMate and tutor for individuals from all walks of life.