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Parshat Noah: Genesis 6:9-11:32;
Isaiah 54:1-55:5.

I

grew up in South Africa and was
privileged to vacation on safari
at least once a year throughout
my childhood. It has certainly helped
bring to life the Torah portion of Noah
gathering and rescuing the world's
entire animal species.
The "bush" of Africa is
addictive — the natural wil-
derness intoxicates you with
its rustic, divine beauty.
The prime safari "fix" is
to be found in the Kruger
National Park, a nature
reserve larger than the State
of Israel, left untouched by
human hands.
You enter that natural
kingdom knowing that you
are not in charge and what
you may or may not see is
not up to you. You could be lucky to
discover some of the more rare sight-
ings of cheetah and leopard or only
see the odd impala herd for hours of
the day.
However, a strong appetite and
developed appreciation for the bush, in
fact, reveals unlimited new discoveries
every time, whether it is a new sight-
ing of yet another wild creature, or
simply a new dimension to that which
you had seen so many times before.
Just recently, I merited taking my
family to South Africa for my sister's
wedding. It goes without saying that
a safari trip was the first item on our
itinerary. It was fascinating to observe
my young children immediately take
to the culture of the game reserve,
honing their "spotting" skills and
inquiring about the nature and diets of
the many different creatures.
Obviously, some entertaining is
necessary for a 5-year-old who might
not be satisfied with the beauty of an
endless stream of dry bush. Therefore,

Conversations

the water-hole hot spots were a must
on any planned route. As well as the
resident hippos or crocodiles, an array
of animals will make the inevitable
visit to quench their thirsts.
This compelled us to reflect on the
animal routine, so differ-
ent from our own, as the
beast is figuratively leashed
to the water hole. Its day is
filled with traversing the
savanna in search of food,
while instinctively circling
back to the drinking spot to
wash it all down.
Animals cannot fabri-
cate themselves devices by
which they may store or
channel water. In fact, it is
the manufacturing wisdom
that God endowed us with
that allowed Noah to not only save
himself, but the animal kingdom, too.
We must not take for granted the
great gift we humans have to simply
carry our basic necessities with us.
Indeed, with less resilience than the
animal, transporting our water is not a
luxury, but a necessity.
However, our spiritual water must,
too, be bottled. Our faith, hope and
spirituality are found in the reviving
waters of the Torah. We cannot leave
it at the water hole hoping to find it
there when we need it — who knows if
we will even remember our way back?
We must bottle our Torah connection
and hydrate ourselves constantly, never
allowing a threatening thirst to catch
us off guard and unprepared.
Torah and faith cannot be a hobby iso-
lated for an occasional sampling. It must
infuse every part of our lives, enriching
and enlightening all that we do.

Chanoch Hadar is the rabbi at Woodward

Avenue Shul in Royal Oak.

• What lessons can we derive from the wildlife that surrounds us?
• What is the "ark" we must build to offer refuge from our present-day
"raging storm?"
• Were we entrusted as the sole parents for the future of humanity?
What fundamental message would we refresh as a foundation for all
generations to come?

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Jewish National Fund
2012 DOCTORS FOR ISRAEL DINNER

Honoring

Dr. Mel Lester

Featuring guest speaker

Dr. Ora Pescovitz

Executive Vice President, Medical Affairs,
University of Michigan

November 7, 2012
The Baronette Renaissance Hotel
27790 Novi Road • Novi, Ml 48377

Cocktail reception begins at 6:15 pm • Program begins at 7:00 pm

Sponsorship opportunities available • Dietary laws observed

For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please
visit jnf.org/dfidinner, or contact Michael Anderson at 248.324.3080
or manderson@jnf.org .

JEWISH ,
ik
,
NATIONAL To w , Voice
*11P FUND

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October 18 2012

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