Parshat Noach

Rabbi Bryan Opert

Parshat Noach

Knowing Hashem – creating experiences

Rabbi Bryan Opert, Milnerton Hebrew Congregation

When I taught at Crawford in Durban, I gave a class on “proving the existence of Hashem”. I presented the proofs that are offered by our Sages. However, with all these proofs I was particular to explain that they are only “permission to believe” as explained by Rabbi Kellerman in his book by the same name.

None of the proofs are able to prove 100 per cent, beyond a shadow of a doubt that Hashem exists; what they do, though, is permit someone to believe without having to be considered a religious fanatic who follows belief over logic. The proofs suggest very cogent and logical arguments that the A-mighty exists.

The students responded that if these are only permission to believe, then they are not that convincing. I then challenged them with a well-known philosophical question: “Is it possible to prove 100 per cent, beyond any doubt, that one is more than five minutes old! (A very Descartian idea!)

The students suggested their memories, being 16 years long, prove it, but the response is simply that perhaps five minutes ago they were created with those ideas – just as Adam the first man was created with his maturity. The point that is made is that to NOT believe in Hashem also takes belief; there is nothing that can be absolutely proved.

An intuitive young lady then asked me: “Rabbi, why do you choose to believe in Hashem?” This is the culmination of the lesson.

Having grown up irreligious, I did need the proofs of Hashem’s existence as permission to believe, but once I started learning Torah and doing mitzvoth – the ultimate proof for me was because I experienced spirituality.

I experience a life and reality that is meaningful and “valueful” and the most exciting thing is that every so often I actually feel Hashem’s presence and hand in my life. For me that is the proof.

I am not naïve; I realise that there are arguments against this “proof” as well, but what I do know is that that proof personally is so powerful that very little can contradict it.

This week’s parsha begins with: “These are the offspring of Noach, Noach was a righteous man.”

The commentators note that there appears to be a contradiction in the verse, the first part seemingly wishes to introduces Noach’s children, but then instead of listing them, tells us that he was righteous.

The classical commentator Rashi opines that the lesson is about true righteousness and spirituality – they are dependent on our deeds, not our thoughts or our beliefs.

Many people testify to believing many things, but our deeds are our reality! And that is what Yiddishkeit is about: experiencing G-dliness.

That is why the Torah creates so many experiences for us to be able to feel Hashem. The mitzvoth transform urge into will and will into meaning!

Please G-d this coming Shabbos, unifying the entire South Africa in an immense KEEPING Shabbos experience, will bring great blessing to our families, communities and beloved country.