Parshas Noach 5787
(3) שם:ד (4) שם:י (5) שם:ז (6) שם:ח (7) שם
R’ Sholom Noach Barzovsky zt”l (Nesivos Sholom) writes as follows:
“Unlike the destruction of Sodom, where Hashem directly intervened - ("וה' המטיר אש") - the Torah uses passive language for the mabul - ("וארבות השמים נפתחו") - to teach us that the worst punishment is Hashem withdrawing His presence (Hester Panim). By sinking into total corruption, the generation severed their connection to Hashem, causing Him to remove the sustaining force that keeps nature in order. Left alone, creation naturally collapsed into chaotic downpours, meaning Hashem did not actively send the flood - humanity brought self-inflicted ruin upon themselves.” A Wise Man would say: “A person’s friendships are one of the best measures of his worth.”