By Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin

Parshas Noach. A tale of two generations. The parsha opens with the story of Dor HaMabul, the Generation of the Flood, the story of Noach and his ark. Towards the end of the parsha we learn of the Dor Haflagah, the Generation of Dispersion, the building of the Tower of Babel.

“Va’tishacheis ha’aretz lifnei haElokim, And the earth was corrupt before HaShem, va’timalei ha’aretz chamas, and the land was filled with robbery.” (Bereishis 6:11) That was Noach’s world. Rashi explains that va’tishacheis, corruption, refers to the sins of immorality and idolatry, while chamas refers to thievery.

The Torah tells us “Keitz kol bosor…., The end of all living beings…., for the land is filled with robbery.” (Bereishis 6:13) They hit rock bottom. The point of no return. A life of stealing. A total disregard for another’s possessions. Rav Eliyahu Dessler zt”l teaches that stealing brings destruction not only to the victim but also to the perpetrator. It was a generation that brought about its own destruction. It was a world of social discord. The very moral fiber of society was shattered. Robbery, dishonesty, immorality became the norm, an accepted way of life.

In HaShem’s eyes, their deeds were irreversible. It was time to rebuild and start a new world, beginning with Noach and his family. Noach, whom the Chumash describes as a “tzaddik in his time”. How upsetting it is for parents to see their young children fighting amongst themselves, grabbing each other’s toys, squabbling, and not respecting one another. What heartache it is to see adult children not getting along. Imagine HaShem watching His beloved children from Above. Is He not the father of us all? How painful it is for Him to see a total lack of achdus, of not being there for each other.

It is with this backdrop that HaShem brought Mei Noach, the Floodwaters of Noach upon the world.

The parsha also tells us about the Dor Haflagah, the Generation of Dispersion. “Va’yehi kol ha’aretz safah echos u’devorim achodim, “All the people were of one language and one belief”. (Bereishis 11:1) It was a generation with a plan to build a tower reaching up to the heavens. An edifice to show that man is in control and ready to wage war against HaShem. The Talmud tells us that the people were led by Nimrod, whose name means to rebel, for he led the world in a rebellion against HaShem. It was 340 years after the Great Flood. The builders of the tower were the original “children of survivors”, descendants of Noach and his sons. Instead of appreciating the salvation of Noach, and showing gratitude to HaShem that they were alive and given a second chance, they built a tower, and called for a rebellion. Their punishment was that they were dispersed throughout the world. One language became seventy, one people became seventy nations. Where they previously were of one mind, all on the same page, understanding each other and thinking alike, they now were divided. They no longer comprehended one another, no longer able to build together. A lesson in contrasts. How do we understand the destruction and devastation in the time of the flood, as compared to the division and dispersion that was inflicted upon the builders of the tower?

While it may seem that rebellion against G-d is far worse than thievery and immorality, the punishment of total destruction for the Dor HaMabul was much harsher than the division by language and dispersion throughout the world imposed upon the Dor Haflagah. Chazal explain that although Dor Haflagah schemed to dominate both the physical world and the Divine, they were unified in their actions. Achdus, unity, is a trait that HaShem looks for in His people. HaShem is able to look away at man’s lack of honor towards Him. But, in a world where boundaries are crossed, where there isn’t any respect between man and man, that is a world HaShem feels compelled to destroy and rebuild. While unity is a tremendous virtue, unity alone does not make a cause righteous. The builders of the tower were united, but they unity was for an improper endeavor. Their unity did not save them from punishment; rather, it distinguished their generation from the generation of the Flood.

Every now and then we witness how the power of unity brings healing and saving. Stirling Station, Perth, Australia. It was rush hour, and the train station was super crowded. A commuter made a quick dash towards the train for his ride home, and in his hurry, his foot became lodged in the gap between the train and the platform.

Try as he might, he couldn’t release himself. Fellow commuters tried to pull him up, but to no avail. His leg was stuck. The conductor and transit staff were alerted. They, too, tried to free the man, but got nowhere. The transit workers came up with a plan. Have all the passengers exit the train – or carriage, as the Aussies say – and together, gently rock the train car, hopefully allowing the passenger to extract his leg. Dozens of passengers willingly put their bags down, and placed their hands upon the train. One, two, three – push, rock. It worked. By working in unison, they were able to tilt the train and accomplish their mission. When it comes to a group working together, each and every individual makes a difference. Each one’s action has an impact. No single passenger could move that train. But each person who joined in contributed to the rescue. That is the power of achdus: what is impossible for one can become possible when many work together. For the man whose leg was trapped, unity was a lifesaver.

There are so many acts of achdus that bring blessing. I recently read of the remarkable women of Bergen County, New Jersey. They opened their homes to the widows and families of fallen Israeli soldiers. They offered a listening ear, treated young children to a good time, and raised much-needed funds. Mi K’amcha Yisroel, who is like our nation Yisroel.

I am reminded of the legendary leader of Agudath Israel, Rabbi Moshe Sherer z”l. He would end almost every speech at Agudah conventions, dinners and on so many other occasions, with an impassioned plea to his audience. “Together, together, together….” That is the story of our people. This is the power of our nation. Together. Let’s all seek out opportunities to create unity. Unity in our family. Unity amongst our neighbors and friends. Unity in our nation.

With unity, there are no limits.