Rabbi Offers Surprising Take on Noah's Ark and Social Pressure
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Rabbi Elazar Lewenthal, serving in the reserves, offered a new perspective on the weekly Torah portion, Noah, addressing social pressure. He explained that while people may want to withdraw due to social pressure, Judaism advocates for staying engaged with society. Lewenthal stated that filtering negative influences and positively impacting others is the Jewish way, not isolating oneself like Noah in the ark. He advised developing awareness and discernment to navigate social influences effectively.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Elazar Lewenthal discussed social pressure in relation to the weekly Torah portion, Noah.
- He argued that Judaism encourages staying engaged with society, not withdrawing.
- Lewenthal stated that filtering negative influences and positively impacting others is the Jewish approach.
- The desire to isolate oneself is understandable but contrary to Jewish teachings, he explained.
- He advised developing awareness and discernment to navigate social influences.
- Lewenthal noted his commentary was made while serving in the reserves.
Rabbi Elazar Lewenthal, currently serving in the reserves, has presented a unique interpretation of the weekly Torah portion, Noah, addressing the common struggle with social pressure. In a video commentary, he explains that while social pressure can make individuals want to withdraw and isolate themselves, Judaism teaches the opposite approach: remaining part of society, learning to filter negative influences, and positively impacting others. Lewenthal notes that the desire to retreat, symbolized by Noah entering the ark, is understandable given the fear of losing personal decision-making autonomy due to societal influence. "Social pressure is a terribly frightening thing," he stated, adding that people want to make their own life decisions and can feel a loss of control when influenced by society. This fear, he explained, can lead to a desire to build a personal "ark" and shut out the world. However, Rabbi Lewenthal emphasizes that this is contrary to Jewish teachings, which have always encouraged engagement with the community rather than withdrawal. He cites two main reasons for this: the inherently social nature of humans, where connection can be beneficial, and the responsibility individuals have to positively influence their surroundings. "We also want to influence, and you cannot influence from inside the ark," he stressed. To navigate this, Lewenthal advises developing awareness of social influences, exercising discernment to filter what to accept and reject, and choosing the good while pushing away the bad. This approach, he concludes, allows individuals to remain in society, be positively influenced, and also influence others for the betterment of the world.
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