By Rabbi Dr. Yaakov Abramovitz

What’s the first thing you would do after surviving an apocalyptic event?

After a year aboard the teivah, Noach finally stepped onto dry land. He could have focused on finding food, building shelter, or simply taking in the reality of a world that had been completely destroyed. Instead, the Torah tells us that his very first act was to build a mizbei’ach and offer korbanos to Hashem.

How did Noach know to do that? Rashi (Bereishis 8:20) points us back to the beginning of the story. Hashem had instructed Noach to bring seven of every kosher animal into the teivah, even though only two were needed to preserve the species. Noach understood that those additional animals must have been given for a purpose. If Hashem provided more than was necessary for survival, the “extras” were meant to be used in His service.

Rav Hershel Schachter shlita suggests that Noach’s insight should shape the way we view our own lives.

Imagine what life would look like if we had only the bare minimum. Enough money to survive. Enough strength to get through the day. Enough time to care for ourselves and our families. Enough talent to make a living. For most of us, Hashem has given much more than that.

The natural assumption is that those additional blessings are ours to enjoy. Noach teaches us to ask a different question: Why did Hashem give me more than I need?

That question extends far beyond wealth.

If we have extra time, perhaps someone needs a visit, a ride, or help with an errand. If we have extra strength, perhaps there is a shul, school, or neighbor who could use a hand.

If we have knowledge, professional expertise, or Torah learning beyond what we need for ourselves, perhaps someone else is meant to benefit from it. The same is true of every talent, opportunity, and resource Hashem places in our lives.

Perhaps this is the Torah’s deeper definition of gratitude. Gratitude is not only saying, “Thank You.” It is asking, “Why did You give this to me?” Every blessing carries a responsibility and a mission.

Noach teaches us that the greatest expression of gratitude is not simply appreciating what Hashem has given us, but dedicating our “extras” to the One Who gave them in the first place. The question is not whether we have been blessed with more than we need. The question is: What does Hashem want me to do with the extra?