Parshas Noach

(The Segulah of Learning Zera Shimshon)

Noach spends 120 years building a teiva while his neighbors watch. It's brought down that he does this as a way to warn people that if they do not repent from their sinful ways that they will be destroyed by a mabul. The Zohar (67b) says that Noach should have davened for the people of his generation not to be destroyed rather than just trying to influence them to repent and/or build a teiva for his own means of survival. Thus, the mabul is called "Mei Noach," as if the destruction of the world is on Noach. [Yeshayahu 54:9 "For this is to Me as the waters of Noach"]

This is similar to when Mordechai, in the times of Purim, comes to Esther and asks her to speak to Achashveirosh on behalf of the Jewish people. While doing so put Esther at risk for her life, Esther could not sit by while the klal was in danger.

The Gemara in Taanis (11a) states that when the klal is suffering one should not comfort himself saying that he is okay, he is comfortable, and that he has enough. One cannot sit idly by while others are in pain. In fact, the Gemara states that if one does this, he will not be included in the relief when it does come to the tzibbur.

How often do we ignore others' needs, be them physical, emotional, spiritual, whatever, stating that we're okay, all is good in our lives...? What more can we do for other people, look outside of ourselves?

Source: Zera Shimshon Parshas Noach