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How to Talk to a Sinner

Practical Parshah - Noach

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How to Talk to a Sinner: Practical Parshah - Noach

The life of Noah raises questions of how to address the moral failings of others, from zealous extremism on one hand to insularism and apathy on the other.
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Parshah, Criticism; Rebuke, Noah, Noach

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14 Comments
Glenn Gould June 22, 2023

Thank you! Reply

Alizah Hochstead Beitar Illit, Israel October 6, 2021

THis class seems very relevant to our time. Does this mean that I should tell members of my community about the importance of getting vaccinated?. Reply

Harry S Pearle Rochester October 17, 2023
in response to Alizah Hochstead:

I think so. Perhaps some people RESIST good advice, because they feel that it is admission they are wrong, foolish, or immoral people. But everyone makes mistakes. We all are mislead.

This allowance, might help us to advance, personally, and politically, in these difficult times. TNX Reply

Jenifer Nech Houston October 21, 2017

Very good teacher. Thank you Rabbi Kaplan. Reply

Rob New York August 14, 2016

Dear Rabbi Kaplan,
I am thankful for your teaching. Being a "glass half full guy" I always read this portion with joy and saw Noah as someone who completely trusted in God, despite his generation.
I really appreciated the application of the lesson -- so I'm going to speak up. I see Noah as a hero. He saved his entire family -- no small thing in his generation. He acted in great faith to build an ocean liner where there was no ocean, or lake, or river -- not even a drop of rain in sight. I can imagine that the sinners who saw it must have asked, "What's this?" The Torah doesn't say whether Noah spoke or not -- but that Ark must have spoken volumes. He didn't waver in his building of something that must have seemed ridiculous to sinners, perhaps even his family. But he completed the task and preserved life for a new world. I see him as model of faith -- and without faith there is no pleasing God.

Thank you for your lesson and wonderful applications.
Reply

Sylvia U.K. October 17, 2015

Shem Noah,s children were taught about HaShem, when Abraham rescued his nephew Lot, and defeated the kings of Soddom and Gomorrah. Afterwards, Shem visited Abraham and celebrated this event with a sacrifice. Abraham gave Shem the appropriate tithe for a priest from the spoils of the conflict.

Noah, did teach about HaShem, if people would not listen?

Noah son Ham is the grandparent of the Canaanites.

Teaching and learning do not necessarily coincide, the lesson has to move the heart. Reply

Alice Cleveland OH January 28, 2014

Toda Raba Rabbi Kaplan! Wonderful teaching(s) on the Torah. Reply

florida macabiog October 14, 2012

I am blessed by your commentaries and I praise, bless and thank G_d for it. to Him be the glory now and forever. Reply

natan Lodz, Poland October 10, 2010

the knowledge + the ability to share + understanding the humanity given by Torah = your commentary. Reply

Hadassah Lagos, Nigeria October 7, 2010

Noach Thanks Rabbi for your expounding the torah in many different ways. Reply

Bubbie Gainesville, FL October 6, 2010

Parshat Noach What a great surprise to have Chabad.org mag pop up in my mail and to find such a captivating lesson. Very reminiscent of years ago classes in Crown Heights. Thank you, and I hope you will present many more. Reply

Leo Kingston Springs, Tennessee October 6, 2010

Noach Every year, every reading of Torah is new. Thank you for the blessing of a new perspective on Noach. Reply

Anonymous WA, USA October 6, 2010

Rabbi Kaplan... Thank you for the lesson of Noah... I've read it before, many times, but each time, especially now, is the most interesting I've ever heard. A whole new set of questions open up for me!! *;-)

Thank you for the lesson, I loved it. Reply

Anonymous Toronto, ON via chabadflamingo.com October 5, 2010

Very well put.... thank you Rabbi Kaplan! Reply

Each week, Rabbi Mendel Kaplan will delve into that week's Torah reading to bring out a practical lesson for life and explain the Biblical sources for the customs, laws, practices and ethics of our people.
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