Two ‘Teivas’

There is a book of essays of Rav Kook that was published in connection with the weekly Parsha. This was compiled ten years ago by a Rabbi Chaim Yeshayahu Hadari, on the eightieth Yahrtzeit of the first chief rabbi of Israel. We are able to get a glimpse of the unique wisdom and personality of Rav Kook.

One of the methods of analysis of the Rav, was to make comparisons and contrasts. This served to more accurately demonstrate how different the two ideas were. One such contrast was regarding the word, “תבה.” It is found in two contexts in the Torah. In Parshat Noach, the “Teiva” referred to the Ark. And in Parshat Shemot it referred to the basket that the infant, Moshe was placed in by his mother. These are the only places in the entire Tanach where a “Teiva” is mentioned.

In Moshe’s case, the Teiva saved his life as it did for Noach and his family. The common factor is that both were saved.

In Noach’s case the entire world was destroyed because of their evil. In Moshe’s case, he was saved from the evil decree of the king.

Noach’s survival meant that the physical and material world would continue to exist. Moshe’s saving meant that the spiritual world would be preserved, when he would later receive the Torah.

Looking at the Teiva from this perspective also makes us realize that Noach was not a Jew. Perhaps he could be called a “righteous Gentile.” His drunkard behavior was an indication that he was not on such a high spiritual level.

Moshe, on the other hand, from the time he was born, was destined for spiritual greatness. He literally brought light to his home, from the moment he came into the world.

There are times when things are not that clear in determining the true nature of people. It is our duty to be diligent at connecting with all that is good and holy. We will benefit much more from a closeness to the “Moshe” personality, rather than that of the “Noach” personality.