Dvar Torah for Parshat Noach

Based on Likutey Halakhot, Hilkhot Kibud Av v'Aim 2:4

Doing a mitzvah, no matter which one, brings a measure of honor to God the Creator. He asked, for example, that Shabbat be observed and you, despite the difficulties, challenges and temptations not to, do it. What an honor for God!

Who gave you the opportunity to do this mitzvah? Your mother and father. What would have happened, though, if your father had not visited your mother that night? What would have happened if he would have chosen to satisfy himself? All the mitzvot that you have done would never have been. All the mitzvot that you will do, would never come to be. God's honor would have been severely diminished.

What if scores of people would choose to merely satisfy themselves? What if hundreds and thousands of bedroom partners would choose to interrupt what they were doing so that no child be conceived? God's honor would be severely, severely diminished.

Many of the Generation of the Flood were godlike (Bereishis Rabbah 24:6). They were huge people, in body, spirit and potential. Tragically, "All flesh perverted its way on the earth" (Genesis 6:12). They chose to use their titanic energies for rebellion (ibid. v.4; see Rashi). Had they chosen to honor God, mankind's raison d'�tre, their offspring would have been giants of the spirit. God's honor would have increased immeasurably.

Our ancestors in Egypt, who suffered horribly as slaves, were reincarnations of the Generation of the Flood (Arizal, Shaar HaPasukim, Shemot). When they stood at Sinai to receive the Torah they accepted it not only for themselves, but for their offspring for all time. We, their descendants, continue that covenant, the mission to give honor to God.

However, every human being is limited. We can only be in one place at a time. We only live so many days. God must be honored even in places we will not get to. God must be honored even after we have passed on. The main way in which we keep our covenant with God is by bearing children who are conceived in holiness and raised to fulfill the mitzvot.

All seed originates in the mind (Zohar Chadash 15a). The purer the thoughts of the couple, the more the child conceived will be receptive to holiness. We have to clear our minds of the twin fantasies of pleasure and self-centeredness. We have to be humbled by the privileges that we have: to honor God and to be His partners in creating new people who will bring Him additional honor.

agutn Shabbos!
Shabbat Shalom!