The Ark and the Temple

There is a dispute among the commentators regarding the level of righteousness that Noach possessed. Was he only righteous relative to his generation of sinners, or would he have been considered a Tzaddik in any setting?

The Alshich felt that it was necessary for Noach to earn special merit by spending a year in the Ark. He would be doing acts of kindness around the clock in caring for the animals that were with him.

There is even an opinion that the Ark represented a new world order that was meant to be similar to Messianic times. It had the potential of creating a more perfect world.

The Ark was similar to the Beit Hamikdash where miracles were witnessed. Specifically, they stood near one another in prayer, with very little room to move. But suddenly, the area of the Temple expanded, so that everyone had room to bow on the ground when Hashem’s holy name was mentioned by the Kohein Hagadol.

Similarly, it was a miracle that the food set aside for the animals, expanded to last for an entire year. On a natural level, much more food should have been needed.

Another aspect of Messianic times, was the prophecy that “the lion shall lie down with the lamb.” It was a miracle that the animals of prey did not attack the other animals in the Ark.

Even the dimensions of the Ark were the same as those mentioned in the construction of the Mishkan. The goal was to fix the flaws of the generation of the flood, in creating a more perfect world. Noach did gain merits by his acts of kindness. But he missed his full potential by planting the vineyard.

The world gradually declined. The Torah and the Jewish people were needed to correct the weaknesses of mankind. The Messianic goal is very much alive, when evil will be eradicated, and goodness and acts of kindness will prevail.