2020/5781
One of the most well known commentaries of Rashi is found on the first Pasuk of this week's Parashah. The Pasuk states ‘’Eileh Toledot Noach, Noach Ish Tzaddik Tamim Hayah BeDorotav’’, ‘’This is the line of Noah.— Noah was a righteous man; he was blameless in his age; Noah walked with God’’ (BeReishit 6:9). Rashi asks what it means in stating “Dorotav?” He cites two approaches to answer this question: First, he states that due to the fact that Noach's generation was so bad, if he were in Avraham's generation he would have been an even better individual. However, Rashi presents a second opinion that if Noach had been in a better generation like Avraham's he would have been just an average person, and nothing special.
Rav Yosef Yozel Horwitz, the Alter of Novardok, has a beautiful interpretation of this Rashi. He explains that what propelled Noach to be great is the fact that he saw all of the people in his generation being so weak, so it changed him to be great, but if he would have been in Avraham's generation he would have been satisfied with being average. This can also explain what happens to Noach at the end of the Parashah. The Pasuk records that Noach had three sons, and they branched out throughout the world. ThenNoach built a vineyard, and became intoxicated.
People often get drunk in a group setting, and if not in a group setting drinking is often an escape from one’s troubles, or of one’s current situation. Perhaps Rav Horwitz’s answer can explain Noach’s actions. Noach became intoxicated after the world branched out from him. It is possible that Noach drank to intoxication because he saw the world around him developing and improving, and he thought he was no longer of worth or importance. This sobering thought could have led him to look for an outlet from this reality, planting the vineyard, and leading to his excessive drinking.
Noach was looking for an outlet from the new world in which he lived, and like some, he looked for that outlet in alcohol, rather than incorporating Hashem in his life. While there is no doubt that Noach followed God, and was a faithful servant of Hashem, he was not on the level of Avraham or our other forefathers. Noach lacked the ability to go out of his way to find Hashem. When others were committing awful acts (e.g. stealing and Arayot) it was easy for Noach to see that it was not right, and not to follow them. However when it became less clear what people were doing wrong, it became harder for Noach to cling to Hashem, and, instead, he looked for other means of self gratification and activity.
This could be why Noach is not a forefather. We must turn to Hashem when we are facing difficult situations. Although it is sometimes easier to turn to alcohol or other bad habits to hide our problems, ultimately the best and most rewarding this to do is turn to Hashem and rely on Him, thereby fostering a relationship with Him in all times and circumstances.