Torah Portion of the Week
Building Character through the Themes of the Weekly Torah Portion
אֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדֹת נֹחַ נֹחַ אִישׁ צַדִּיק תָּמִים הָיָה בְּדֹרֹתָיו אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִים הִתְהַלֶּךְ־נֹחַ׃
E-leh tol’dot No-ach No-ach ish tza-dik ta-mim ha-ya b’do-ro-tav et-ha-E-lo-him hit-ha-lekh–No-ach.
These are the generations of Noah. Noah was in his generations a man righteous and whole-hearted; Noah walked with God.
Genesis 6:9
Noah’s name in Hebrew is Noach, which means “rest” and “comfort.” Noah is described as a righteous, blameless man who walked with God. What does it mean to “walk with God”? To walk in the moral principles and values given in the Torah.
Contained within the Torah is the wisdom with which God creates the world and manages it. The Torah is a Book of order given by the Almighty that brings much blessing and success in all matters.
Tap Into Your Potential
Noah found grace in the eyes of God, even in the midst of a corrupt generation. Like Noah, something in you is greater than you, and it is your job to protect it. If you feel like darkness seems to be superseding you, it is only because you lack knowledge of who you really are. You represent the Kingdom of Light. Don’t let darkness diminish that Light.
Success is already built within you. God has placed within you potential and He wants you to tap into it by walking with Him. When you operate in the Torah’s principles, it gives you confidence and energy. When you have energy, you have success. So don’t give up on achieving your dreams. Keep your enthusiasm and stay energetic.
The Torah is Light, and as you learn from it, you will gain more wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. When you operate in the Torah’s principles, you are operating in a proper response to a Holy God. You are where your focus is. So walk with God, just like Noah did.
Pronunciation Guide for Transliterated Hebrew Words
| a | [a] as in arm |
| ai | [ai] as in Thailand |
| e | [e] as in red |
| ei | [ei] as in eight |
| i | [i] as in ski |
| o | [o] as in score |
| oi | [oi] as in oil |
| u | [u] as in rule |
| ui | [ui] as in gluing |
| ch/kh | [ch] as in the Scottish loch |
| g | [g] as in good (not as in giant) |
| tz | [ts] as in hats |
| ‘ | short “eh” or “uh” sound |
The Hebrew Scriptures in this text have been derived from the Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC), and the English translation is based off of the JPS 1917 Tanakh.
Simchat Torah Beit Midrash®
