Bnei Buzz - Parshat Noach

Newsletter: 21 | Parsha: Noach
Candle Lighting: 5:59pm | Motzei ShabbAs: 6:50pm
In This Edition
From the desk of your Rosh Machaneh (page 4)
Picture of the Week


Letter from the Editor
Hello all you bnei buzzers
Welcome back! I hope you had the most incredible Chaggim and break! Bnei Buzz is back and
more ready than ever to take on the end of the year! Get excited because there are only 47 days left till we arrive at the best place on earth- so I hope you’ve signed up for Machaneh Nitzavim Hayom!!
ו ַ ִיּ ְפ ַ ֣תּ ח ֔נ ֹ ַח ֶא ת ־ ַח ֥לּ וֹ ן ַה ֵתּ ָ ֖ב ה ֲא ֶ ֥שׁ ר ָע ָ ֽשׂ ה ... ו ַ י ְ ַשׁ ַ ֖לּ ח ֶא ת ־ ָ ֽה ע ֵ ֹ ֑ר ב ו ַ ֵיּ ֵ ֤צ א י ָ צ וֹ ֙א
‘Noach opened the window of the tieva which he made, and he sent out the raven...’
When the flood stopped, Noach was still a bit uncertain about how suitable the climate outside the teiva (Ark) was for animals and man, so he sent the raven to find out.
However, the raven refused to go because he thought that the reason Noach wanted him gone, was because he was ‘interested’ in his mate.
Q. Did the raven actually think that Noach was interested in his mate and what was his rationale behind all this?
A. The way you are, is the way you think everyone is!
Tzadikim generally think that everyone is good and at the same time a person who acts immorally, assumes that everyone else acts in a similar way. - A thief thinks that everyone steals and an alcoholic believes that everyone drinks.
The raven was therefore very skeptical of Noach sending him out, because the Raven himself was guilty of forbidden relationships!
We as human beings, have a tendency to try and validate our sins by saying, ‘Agg, it’s okay, everyone does it!’ Of course though, that is not entirely true...
Its possible that you think everyone does ‘it’ simply because you do ‘it’! (whatever ‘it’ may be)
The Talmud has an idea that if we find ourselves constantly criticizing others, it is a sign that we need to do some self- introspection to see where it is coming from.
On the other hand, if a person is constantly praising and admiring others, it is a sign that he himself is worthy of that honour!
Shabbat Shalom Holy People
Hannah Swartz
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A vort in short (Hachshara 2017)
The Duality of the Divine Service
Parshat Noach is arguably the cliché Bible tale. Almost any person, from someone studying Semicha to any child in Nursery School, knows that two-by-two Noah saved all the animals from the flood. However, it is much less known that in the Torah itself, there are two subtly different narratives of the start of the flood.
The Torah never wastes words. Why then does the Torah have to repeat the build up to the Mabul (flood)? What is the Torah trying to teach us?
In order to understand the underlying lesson here, we need to first discern the differences between the two versions.
The first description which actually begins at the end of last weeks Parsha, uses Hashem’s name of “Elokim”. This is in contrast to this week’s Parsha where Hashem is referred to by His four letter name “Ado nay” or otherwise fancily known as the Tetragrammaton. The accepted approach is that when “Elokim” is used, the name connotes the attribute of Justice. It is a general name which shows authority. On the other hand, The Tetragrammaton (Ado nay in case you can’t pronounce Tetragrammaton), connotes the attribute of Mercy. It is a more personal name and is, in fact, the name in which Hashem first speaks to Adam.
Furthermore, the introduction to the flood in the second version with The Tetragrammaton describes the sins of the generation as being full of emotion, passion and unmediated contact between man and Hashem. While conversely, the first version of “Elokim” depicts a society that was objectively corrupt. There was no primal lust or any personal connection to Hashem or lack thereof for that matter.
So far, we have seen that the two accounts differ in names as well as in descriptions. From the names we distinguish Personal and Objective relationships and from the background descriptions we differentiate between an emotion-filled and an emotionless general outline of the generation.
Why are both of these depictions necessary?
The Ramban offers a solution to these two diverse portrayals. Hashem instructs Noah that every type of animal species, as well as all the food to sustain them, must be brought on to the Ark. He then instructs Noah that the Ark has to be of a certain length, width and height. Ramban notes that it would be naturally impossible to fit everything into the ark no matter how big Noah could manage to build it. It was obviously going to be a miracle. So why then are there still measurements for its construction?
The answer is a fundamental concept in faith. Wherever, something can be, even partially, through natural laws and an objective perspective then it must be done that way. Thus, Noah had to build the Ark as big as possible.
So too, the build-up to the flood shows this principle, our relationship with Hashem must sometimes merely be objective and by the book. Thus, the first version is a very general account.
However, Hashem could not destroy the world without being personally involved because in our relationship with Hashem, we must also have a deeper emotional connection and hence the subjective second portrayal.
Most things we observe in life seem to follow a natural order. The challenge for us is to recognise that Hashem is present in every aspect of the ‘natural world’. We need to strive to transform the objectiveness of our relationship with Hashem to passionate intimacy. It would be incredibly easy to be a God fearing Jew if we were only surrounded by open miracles. The way we grow in our Judaism is by striving to find Hashem in our everyday life.
Shabbat Shalom
David Kahn
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From the desk of your Rosh Machaneh
Noach realised that as the father of all future humanity, he was playing the role of Adam in the new, post- flood world. He therefore tried to rectify Adam and Chavas mistake of misusing the tree, by planting himself vineyards. Noach, hoped to lose himself in Divine Joy by becoming intoxicated. But because this selflessness was artificial, it backfired, and Noach instead, exposed himself indecently.
Seeing this, Noachs sons covered him up. His older sons Shem and Yafet, focused on restoring their fathers modesty, while his youngest son Cham focused on his fathers indecency.
‘Vayachulu Achoranit Vayachulu Et Ervat Avihem Vego’
‘(Shem and Yafet) walked backwards and covered their fathers nakedness’
The Baal Shem Tov taught that the people we encounter in our lives are mirrors: If we see evil in them, we are really seeing a reflection of the evil within us. Since we are generally blind our own faults, Hashem arranges for us to notice them in someone else, expecting us to take the cue and recognise that we possess these same faults so we can correct them in ourselves.
Therefore, since Shem and Yafet didn’t share their fathers weakness, they didn’t focus on it; instead, they focused on how they could help him. In contrast, Cham did however share his fathers weakness and therefore he focused on Noachs shame rather than how he could be of help.
So... if you notice something in someone that may irritate you or you can’t stand, take a good look at yourself, Hashem may be urging you to fix that exact same trait!
With a month and a bit to go I can not wait to see you all on Machaneh Nitzavim Hayom!! Get pumped and Shabbat Shalom
Martin Skudicky
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Get to know your maddie
Maddies Name: Nachi Storger Shichva: Morasha
Q. Nachi, what Shichva are you from? A. Lehava
Q. Choose a movie title for the story of your life? A. ‘Austin Powers’
Q. What was your childhood nickname? A. Maidel
Q. If you could be anything but human, what would you be? A. An eagle; I’ve always wanted to be able to fly!
Q. At which store are you most likely to max out your credit card? A. G-star Raw
Q. Do you have any strange phobias? A. Feet
Q. What’s your favorite TV series? A. The Grand Tour
Q. Which emoji do you use most often? A. !
Q. What are 3 adjectives that best describe you? A. Funny, Warm Hearted & Nurturing
Q. 1 interesting fact that you should know about me is...? A. I was successfully home schooled!
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Shichva Shoutouts
Gurim
A. It's called the "wildegees" It's a combination of the common Wildebeest and the gees. When they come together it just makes magic.
Lots of love Gurim. If I were you...I'd sign up very fast. Camp is
"
BENDER
Roim
A. Impecturesque - an impeccable scene!
Howsit Roim! Hope you guys had a really chilled Sukkot and are preparing well for exams! Too many impeccable things await you at the finish line. Shabbat shalom, peace and love
JESS LEIBOFF
Moledet
Howzit Moledet! Sign ups are absolutely ROCKING!! So hurry up and get on board for Machaneh
Orot
A. The word I would create is amazingest which would obviously just mean the most amazing!
Shabbat shalom amazing people of Bnei Akiva and especially to the amazingest shichva out there, Orot. I hope you are all getting ready for the unbelievablest camp ever. We are going to blow the roof off of the camp site and show the world who we are! Keep checking groups and Facebook for some great news to come. Lots of love YUVI HH
Morasha
Good shabbos the the absolute
going to be magic
##Moledet, brace yourselves for 3 weeks of
having shabbos together on #MachanehNitzavimHayom! Get keen get pumped because this is going to be one to never forget! Cay xx
CAY
Tzion
כולם כולם כולם כולם
A. The one word I would make up would be splog. I think it would be the verb of what telletubies do in general. It originates from the Latin word ‘ploog’.
Tzion, 6 weeks till you all rock a- guard and the best December holiday starts. Finish those sign ups because we nearly full *+ plans are in full swing. Getting keener by the day , iyoh - EMDIN
Q. If you could make up a
word, what would it be and what would it mean?
⭐⭐ MORASHA in
best shichvah!
just over 6 weeks we will be
Nitzavim Hayom!
$ %$&But in the
ultimate GEES and jolly jumbos!
meantime...Wishing all those amazing Bnei Akiva Madrichim the best of luck for exams!! You're
''
Have a "FANTABULOUS" shabbos!
A. ***FANTABULOUS definition - the ultimate fusion of FANTA with a
(
almost there!
hint of Fabulous.
(
JOSH KAPLAN
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Parsha Pop Quiz
Questions:
1. How many floors or levels (or decks) did the Ark (Teiva) contain?
2. Which people were Noach told to take onto the Ark?
3. What was Noach’s wife’s name?
4. How many of each living thing was Noach to take onto the Ark?
5. How long was the entire earth completely submerged?
6. Why was Noach commanded to take seven pairs of each fowl?
7. What bird did Noach send out first?
8. What bird did Noach send out next? How often, and with what result?
9. After Noach and his family left the Ark, Hashem blessed them and gave them a commandment. What was it,
and how often did He give it?
10. What was the sign of Hashem’s covenant between Himself and all living creatures? What was the purpose of
this sign?
11. Cham had four sons. Name three of them and the countries their names represent.
12. What was Nimrod’s relationship to Noach? For what was he famous?
13. Terach had three sons. Name two of them
14. There is a similarity between the story of Noach and the story of Avraham. What is the similarity? How are
they different?
Answers:
1. The ark contained 3 floors
2. Noach was told to take his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives
3. We don’t know what Noach’s wife’s name was.
4. Noach took “two of everything except the kosher animals (seven pairs of each) and fowl (also seven pairs).”
5. The earth was submerged for 150 days.
6. Noach was commanded to take seven pairs “to keep seed alive on the face of the earth.”
7. Noach first sent out a raven
8. Noach sent a dove three times: The first time it returned with an empty beak; the second time it brought an
olive leaf; the third time it did not return.
9. Hashem gave the commandment: Be fruitful and multiply. He gave this commandment three times.
10. The sign of Hashem’s covenant is the rainbow, which reminds Hashem of His promise never to destroy the
earth again.
11. Cham’s four sons were named: Kush (Ethiopia), Mizraim (Egypt), Put (Libya), and Canaan (Phoenicia).
12. Nimrod was Noach’s great-grandson. He was famous for being a mighty hunter.
13. Terach’s sons were Abraham, Nachor, and Charan.
14. Hashem told both Noach and Abraham that he was going to destroy the people. Abraham pleaded for their
lives, but Noah did not.
Parshat Noach
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Pictures of The week
Gurim Sukkah Party, Roim Ice Skating, Moledet Amazing Race & Morasha challah bake
MTA & Limmud 2017 Gap year Pictures
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Fun and Games
Riddles Questions:
1. A king has no sons, no daughters, and no queen. For this reason he must decide who will take the throne after he dies. To do this he decides that he will give all of the children of the kingdom a single seed. Whichever child has the largest, most beautiful plant will earn the throne; this being a metaphor for the kingdom. At the end of the contest all of the children came to the palace with their enormous and beautiful plants in hand. After he looks at all of the children's pots, he finally decides that the little girl with an empty pot will be the next Queen. Why did he choose this little girl over all of the other children with their beautiful plants?
Bad Dad Jokes!
Why do bananas need sunscreen? Because they peel
RIP boiled water... You will be mist
I hate perforated lines, they're tearable
Son: Where are my sunglasses? Dad: I don't know... Where are my dad-glasses?
I used to have a job at the calendar factory, but they fired me because I
took a couple of days off.
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Riddles Answers:
A1. The king gave them all fake seeds and the little girl was the only honest child who didn't switch seeds.


poster
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Shabbat Shalom
/BneiSA
011 485 1695 | [email protected] | www.bnei.co.za
See you next week
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