Reality of Human Nature

The lesson of Noah’s Ark, and the necessity to start the world anew, was very basic in terms of the reality of human nature.

It is possible that there are certain righteous individuals who are so pure that they are incapable of wronging another individual. But, unfortunately, such individuals are a rarity.

There must be a clear set of laws in order for man to thrive, and behave himself. The Torah is clear about this when it said, “The nature of the heart of man, is only evil, all the days of his life.”

This is a reference to the Yeitzer Hara, or evil inclination, that entices us to make the wrong decisions, and is the source of evil in the world.

This is the reason for the “Seven Noachide Laws,” that applied to all of mankind. Without consequences for our actions, man’s weaknesses will lead to rationalizations and justifications for bad behavior. Without a higher authority that sets limits and restrictions, man might even make his own rules that he might think are right, but are immoral.

We are witnessing a return to G-d and accepting His authority. This comes after witnessing the outcome of man made laws. There has been a breakdown of the sanctity of marriage, and all that is holy and pure.

The Ark and the flood, taught us this lesson of the need to follow basic laws that come from G-d. Hopefully, this lesson is now being relearned, and the world will accept that Hashem is the Creator. His laws are Divine, and only good comes when these laws are cherished and observed.