The Original Influencer

Russell Crowe as Noah

Parashat Noach, Genesis 6:9–11:32

Daniel Vinokuroff, UMJC Young Adult Chair

In many different cultures, we have very similar things. These cultures might be on opposite sides of the world, yet their origin stories, their mythologies, their ideas of righteousness, and even certain phrases, can be eerily similar. We can talk about many examples, yet one comes to mind that relates to this parasha. There is a wise saying in Russian, and I have since learned that it exists in many other cultures, including Spanish, that says, “Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are.” This says that the people around us influence us, and it is nearly impossible to avoid that. In this week’s parasha, however, we see two examples of people fighting and winning the fight against the negative influences around them.

The first example is Noach. He is called the only one who is righteous in his generation. He defies all odds and stays faithful to Hashem throughout his lifetime before the flood, and thereby is called righteous. We can see who talked into his life by looking at the genealogies and doing the calculations of years. Noach was taught the ways of Hashem by his forefathers (except Enoch who was taken by Hashem). He could have even met Enosh (Adam’s grandson) as a little boy. We see all of this in Genesis 5. We also read that the flood happened in Noach’s 600th year (7:6). Hashem first watched him and saw that he stayed faithful and righteous. It seems that the previous generations started to walk away from Hashem more and more. For whatever reason, Noach did not have children until he was 500 years old. He then had three sons and was able to raise and teach them for nearly 100 years before the flood waters came.

Yet we see that the influence of the father was not enough to guard the sons from the influence of the world. This is evident as Ham makes fun of or embarrasses his father a few years later. The scriptures seem to indicate that Canaan, the son of Ham, was also heavily involved in this deed, as this is the reason for him to be cursed (9:25). A different son of Ham, Kush, takes the people at the time and builds a huge empire with Babel as one of its cities (10:10). Idolatry is involved as the inhabitants seek to make a name for themselves through building a tower with its top in the heavens (11:4). They should know from firsthand accounts what Hashem has done for them and how he saved their forefathers, for after all Noach is the grandfather of Kush. Yet, we see that the influence of one godly generation was not enough for all other generations.

Our second example in this portion is Abraham, descended from Shem who was blessed by Noach, “May God . . . dwell in the tents of Shem” (9:27). How did Abraham get his godly example so that he could also be an example of godly influence? Without understanding the genealogies, we will not completely understand this. Hashem would not have told him to go to the land of Canaan if he were not a righteous man, for he hates wickedness and delights in righteousness (Psalm 45:7). Therefore Abraham was first observed by Hashem (our sages like Rabbeinu Bahya, Rashi, and Ramban point this out too), as Hashem does not pick people at random. Abraham’s faith in Hashem is what made him do righteous acts. How did he develop this faith?

In the genealogies of chapter 10, we learn that Kush, a descendant of Shem’s brother Ham, reigned over the Mesopotamian area of civilization as he built many of the cities, including the Chaldean cities. From this, we can also deduce that he is the one who built the tower of Babel. At first glance, one could say that all people live here. However, we see that some people leave this area in what appears to be before the building of the Tower, people like Asshur (10:11). Rashi comments, “As soon as Asshur saw that his sons listened to Nimrod, rebelling against the Omnipresent by building the Tower, he went forth out of their midst.” Who is this Asshur? According to Rabbeinu Bahya, Radak, and Ramban, he is one of Shem’s sons (10:22), who did not agree or want to have an ungodly influence. When we look at Genesis 10:21, we find that Shem is the father of the descendants of Eber. Ramban says, “This means that he was the father of all who dwelled beyond (eber) the Euphrates River, which was the place of Abraham’s family.” This is said from the perspective that the entire civilized world is east of the Euphrates at this time and to be beyond the river would mean you are west of the river. This is seen to be the case as they eventually traveled west to Haran (11:30).

The story of Abraham, however, begins with his father in Ur. They have been there long enough for his youngest brother to be born there (11:28). It seems that Terah took his family to the city of Ur later in life. This is seen in the light of a later passage when it talks about how Abraham is not from the Ur of the Chaldeans, but Hashem brought him out of it. Joshua 24:2 “In olden times, your ancestors—Terah, father of Abraham and father of Nahor—lived beyond the Euphrates and worshiped other gods.’” Terah worshiped other gods, so how is it that Abraham is adamant about the one true God? Where did he learn this from? Who is the influencer of Abraham? When we look at the ages of everyone involved, we see that Shem is still alive at the time of Abraham, probably away from the influences of Kush. Not only Shem, but Noach himself was alive until Abraham was about 60 years old. Shem lived for another 110 years after the birth of Abraham. Therefore one can surmise that the godly influence of Noach and Shem influenced Abraham to be righteous. Someone needed to tell and show Abraham about this mighty God and teach his way. In turn, Abraham became the father of a great nation that influences the world to this day.

So what does this mean for us? Well, what are we doing in this chaotic world around us? Are we influencing people for Hashem and being that light to the world that we are called to be? Or are we letting the world influence us? Who are we hanging out with? These past few weeks have not been easy for us, and many wish harm to us and Israel. Are we going to let them influence us in how we act? Or shall we stay strong in Hashem, knowing that he controls all? One way you can influence others is through standing with Israel.

We may not be able to influence everyone toward Hashem, but even if we can influence one person, that person may be the next Abraham. Hashem might even be able to use us in a mighty way, but only if we are righteous and can influence others toward Hashem.

My name is Daniel Vinokuroff, and I’m the Chair of the UMJC Young Adult Committee. We seek to influence and support our young adults as they walk with Hashem while living a Jewish lifestyle. Follow us on Instagram at #UMJCYoungAdults to see what we are doing, or contact me at daniel.vinokuroff@gmail.com.