Parshas Noach 5786 - More than an Ark

Before the Flood, Hashem told Noach:

“The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with robbery through them; and behold, I am about to destroy them from the earth. Make for yourself an Ark of gopher wood…” (Beraishis 6:13-14).

Although Hashem informed Noach that the world would be destroyed, He did not initially explain how this destruction would occur. Instead, Hashem gave Noach detailed instructions on how to build the Ark — its materials, design, and dimensions.

Only later did Hashem reveal:

“Behold, I am about to bring the floodwaters upon the earth to destroy all flesh.” (Bereishis 6:17)

This order seems puzzling. Wouldn’t it have made more sense for Hashem to first tell Noach about the coming flood and only then command him to build the Ark? Why command him to construct such a vessel without first explaining its specific purpose?

Rav Moshe Feinstein, ZT”L, explains that Hashem deliberately withheld the reason. Noach’s task was to build the Ark because Hashem commanded him to do so, not because he understood its purpose. Of course, the Ark would ultimately serve as Noach’s means of survival — but Hashem could have saved him in countless ways: by placing him on a mountaintop or protecting him through a miracle. The command to build the Ark was, therefore, not meant as a practical instruction but as a spiritual test — a test of emunah, of obedience to Hashem’s will.

We find this same pattern in Hashem’s first commandment to humanity. Hashem told Adam: 

“Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, you must not eat thereof; for on the day you eat of it, you shall surely die.” (Beraishis 2:16-17).

Although Hashem explained the consequences of violating the commandment (“you shall surely die”), He never explained to Adam the reason for the commandment. Hashem wanted Adam to observe the commandment solely because He commanded it, and not for any ancillary reason that Adam or Chava might conceive.

Rav Moshe Feinstein teaches that this principle applies to every mitzvah in the Torah. While mitzvos certainly contain many practical and moral benefits — for example, keeping kosher may promote health and discipline — these are not the reasons we observe them. The true reason is far simpler and deeper: because Hashem commanded us to do so. When we align our will with Hashem’s and not behave based on what we subjectively think is best, we affirm that His wisdom surpasses our own.

Hashem did not inform Adam why he must not eat from the Tree of Knowledge, and did not inform Noach of how the Ark would save him until after His command to build the Ark. Both were expected to follow Hashem’s directive solely because that was Hashem’s command.

So too for us. We may not always fully understand why the Torah asks certain things of us, but we can trust that Hashem, who loves us and knows what is best for us, guides us only toward good. When we fulfill His commandments in this manner, we merit not only the blessings that flow from mitzvah observance, but also the deeper connection that comes from aligning our lives with His Divine will.