Shabbat Parashat Noach 5785

Parashat Hashavua: Hamas and the Parasha

Our parasha tells us that the land was destroyed before Hashem, and the land was filled with chamas (Bereishit 6:11). Our recent experience taught that when the land is full of Hamas, the land is destroyed. A year ago, these lowly murderers penetrated our country, killing without distinction, but with clear intent to be cruel. Those who were not killed were all too often kidnapped. Terrible acts that are tantamount to murder were carried out against women. Mass looting and destruction of communities was perpetrated along with the murder.

This should make us think about a human being’s responsibilities from a Torah perspective and what results from a lack of compliance to them. These are also addressed in the parasha. Sanhedrin 56b provides the sources for the seven Noahide Laws in Bereishit and Noach. These mitzvot are the basis for the existence of a healthy, sustainable society. Most of them focus on basic human principles, as we will illustrate.

1. Establishing a judicial system based on the principles of justice – this includes protecting the weak and ensuring a peaceful society. It should prevent theft and extortion and punish criminals to prevent recurrence of crime.

2. Incest and adultery – sexual abuse within the family uproots the integrity of the family unit, which must protect its members. The prohibitions include disregard for the holy bond between man and wife. Also, there is concern of the powerful taking advantage over those in weaker positions.

3. Taking the life of another – the atrocity of murder is a cornerstone of any society. People must not take the lives of others, irrespective of religion, race, or gender; everyone is created in Hashem’s image. When victims are helpless, the moral affront is even higher.

4. Theft – everyone has the right to accumulate wealth. The laws that govern society must prevent outright thievery and other, more subtle forms of financial corruption, including unfairly selective taxation.

5. Eating a part of a live animal (ever min hachai) – The prohibition sends a clear message that it is important for humanity to curb cruelty even toward animals.

Thousands of years ago, the Torah set up a set of values, which still represent the basis of a proper society. Notice the horrible sins of the Hamas organization and how it has, over years, disregarded basic rules of decency, starting with among their own people, and when the opportunity arose, among large portions of the citizens of the State of Israel. They do not respect even one of the principles listed above. They do not have a judicial system based on justice, do not protect their own citizens, and certainly have no respect for the lives and property of Israelis. They sinned in the realm of sexual impropriety. They even stole from and financially abused Gazans. Their regard for avoiding cruelty is non-existent. For all of these reasons, they do not deserve to be treated like a government and deserve no respect on any level.

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