I’ve heard from several folks that Darren Aronofsky’s new movie, “Noah” is vastly different from the information found in the Bible.  But, a lot of what I hear is wrong; to me, it could only mean that these complainers must have a totally different bible.  Oh, wait- they do!

One of the earliest facts I learned was one that got me into a lot of trouble at the yeshiva (Jewish Day School) that I attended.  As a matter of fact, Ms. Kekst, my teacher used a term I had never heard- and when I asked my father what she meant, I was punished.  (For the record, she called me a little mamzer [a little “bast….d”).  Only because I was able to read one of the commentators on the bible, which is printed in special text (this commentator used his own alphabet), and wanted to know what “tashmish” meant.  You see, Noah and his family were commanded to NOT have sexual intercourse while they were in the ark.

Whether that was for practical reasons (after all, the ark was pretty crowded; adding more residents would make conditions worse). or because it would not be appropriate to celebrate life while so many living things were being destroyed is beside the point.  Because, I agree with Aronofsky that one of the basic tenets of the Noah saga is the tension between forgiveness and wickedness.

Let’s start with the very first introduction to the saga that the Supreme Being provides for us.  In spite of what you probably remember, Noah was not a saint- or even an especially good guy.  He was a just a good guy when compared to his peers.  That’s pretty damning praise, don’t you think?

And, we already know from the rest of the discussions in the Tora,  the Supreme Being wants us to temper our actions between absolute justice and absolute mercy.  In spite of the English vernacular, for example, no one is expected to have to retaliate taking out the perpetrator’s eye as punishment for blinding another.  (The rule, actually, is that the perpetrator must make financial restitution to the injured party, providing the difference in his earnings and situation due to the loss of the eye.)

And, wouldn’t the absolute definition of justice and mercy have required Noah to implore his fellow citizens to change their ways because the end is near? (Think of Jonah being required to warn the citizens of Nineveh, not quite his friends, of their potential demise.)  Of course, if these other citizens were treacherous folks, they never would have believed it, either.  (Remember, Noah was only the best of his generation, not necessarily a good person.)

Let us also not forget that when Noah is finally released from the ark, he converts his grapes into wine and gets plastered.  Not exactly the trait of a great man- but, then, again, he could finally have been overwrought by the total destruction of the world.

And, that promise we have from the Supreme Being- the rainbow.  It’s always  been an important sign for me.  The day I took (and found out later that I passed) my orals, there was a tremendous rainbow over the entire city of Boston.  (I still have that picture I took that early afternoon .)  Or, the rainbow that appeared over the Charlottesville Airport when we finally determined the best course of action against an unjust government decision.

My kids grew up with rainbows- real ones and paintings over their walls.  Because  rainbows and children are the promise for the world.  They will make a difference (actually, they already are and have);  they insure that this world is better off because their actions.

Oh, and Noah was not among the first Jews.  His commandments  (called the 7 Noahide commandments) are for all mankind.  And, that includes tempering justice with mercy.

So, whether or not Noah is a good movie, it certainly keeps to the biblical roots of the saga.

Share this: