Remaining Nonpartisan
During the turbulent early 20th century, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (1880–1950), known as the Previous Rebbe, was once traveling by train to Petersburg. In his car were noblemen, clergy, and a group of Jewish students. Before long, a heated discussion arose on the topic of ideal systems of government.
At that time, the world was alive with competing "isms"—socialism, communism, capitalism, pacifism, fascism, and more. This debate, however, took a Jewish perspective, with each participant presenting various Torah-based arguments for their preferred approach to governance.
When the debate reached an impasse, the students turned to the Rebbe for his opinion. He responded, "You are all correct. The Torah is the source of all goodness in Creation. The positive elements within each of these systems derive from Judaism; their flaws stem from the man-made additions."
Remaining nonpartisan in today’s charged climate, where every aspect of society seems to have become partisan, can be difficult. While it’s essential to vote according to our values and beliefs, we must also be careful not to fall into the trap of partisan politics.
Jewish history has taught us not to place absolute faith in any particular party or politician. We have witnessed both the best and the worst emerge from every point along the political spectrum. While we strive to create a stable, safe, and prosperous society, our ultimate faith belongs solely to G-d, trusting that He will meet all our needs.
In this week’s Torah portion, Noach, we learn about two distinct societies: the pre-Flood generation and the generation of Dispersion.
The world before the Flood was blessed with abundance, health, and prosperity. However, people took advantage of this ideal lifestyle, and corruption became rampant. Except for a few select individuals, people lived selfishly, viewing themselves as superior and using violence against the weak. Society indulged in murder, theft, idolatry, and immorality.
Eventually, G‑d informed Noach, a righteous individual of his generation, of His plan to eradicate humanity due to their evil ways. He instructed Noach to build an ark, where he and his family would take refuge, joined by a select few animals from every species (excluding fish, which survived the Flood unscathed): two of each non-kosher animal and seven (or fourteen) of each kosher animal.
After the Flood, humanity began to multiply again, united by a common language and mutual understanding. This post-flood generation valued community, placing the group above individual interests. However, they eventually disregarded individual expressions and beliefs and turned against G‑d, attempting to build a tower to reach heaven, intending to equalize themselves with G‑d. To counter their arrogance, G‑d confused their languages, creating seventy nations with distinct tongues. This division stopped their project, scattering them across the earth.
In every generation and society, we may lean either toward individualism or collectivism, but both extremes can be dangerous or self-destructive. Judaism teaches us to recognize diversity and respect each individual’s unique role while assisting one another to form a unified community. We are united not despite our differences, but because of our differences.
How can we maintain our Jewish values and remain true to our mission without getting swept away by various ideologies of our time? The answer lies in G-d's instruction to Noach: "And the Lord said to Noach, 'Come into the ark, you and all your household, for it is you that I have seen as a righteous man before Me in this generation" (Genesis 7:1).
Although G-d’s command was directed specifically to Noach, the lesson is eternal. The Baal Shem Tov (1698–1760) explained that the word in Hebrew for “ark” is “Teivah”, which also means “word”. G‑d's command to “come into the word” teaches us to enter the words of prayer and Torah study, where we find wisdom, meaning, and holiness amidst life’s turbulent waters.
This narrative teaches us never to despair in the face of worldly challenges. Even when faced with a “flood”—whether geopolitical issues or personal challenges—we must remain optimistic, knowing that G‑d watches over us and that for Him, anything is possible. Taking time each day to enter our personal “arks” by reconnecting with our souls strengthens our faith. This not only nurtures our spiritual growth but also helps us navigate our lives in a balanced and meaningful way.
Additionally, by entering our spiritual "ark" through prayer and Torah study, we can uplift the world, just as Noach "beheld a new world" when he emerged from the ark.
Yet, there is another equally important lesson. After the land dried completely—exactly one year after the Flood began—G‑d commanded Noah to exit the ark and repopulate the earth. As it says, “G‑d spoke to Noah, saying: ‘Go out of the ark...’” (Genesis 8:16). Though it may be tempting to remain in a peaceful spiritual haven, we are ultimately instructed to leave it, engage with the world, and transform it into a dwelling place for G‑d.
Miraculously, even the animals in the ark lived peacefully together, foreshadowing a time of redemption when, as Isaiah 11:6 says, "A wolf shall live with a lamb, and a leopard shall lie with a kid...and a small child shall lead them." Many commentaries interpret this as a metaphor for all nations on earth living together in harmony.
By applying the teachings of the Torah and sharing them with others, we bring the world closer to the Messianic era, when peace, prosperity, and kindness will prevail everywhere.
