Do Mitzvot, openly!

This week's Torah portion, Noach, begins with G-d's description of Noach [Noah]: "Noach was a righteous man, perfect in his generation." Even though Noach lived in a generation of sinful individuals, he nonetheless merited to receive this praiseworthy description from G-d.

Noach was the only member of his generation who behaved properly. Noach was not ashamed of acting differently. He served G-d in an open manner. And In the merit of his exemplary behavior, Noach and his family survived the Great Flood while all others perished.

Noach's conduct contains a valuable teaching for all of us. It sometimes happens that we may want to learn Torah with great diligence, Or we may want to observe a particular mitzva, but the evil inclination intervenes and whispers: " Do you see anyone else doing this mitzva? You don't need do it, either." Why do you need to be different?

The evil inclination must be answered by following Noach's example.

Just as Noach disregarded his surroundings, so too we must pay no attention to the conduct of friends and colleagues when it is not in accordance with the teachings of the Torah. And just as Noach succeeded in his path, which was different from the rest of society's, so too, will we succeed in conquering our yetzer hara, allowing us to learn Torah and observe mitzvot even in a hostile environment.

After the Flood, Noach merited to establish a new world. So too each and every one of us have the power to save an entire world and bring redemption with "Moshiach Now!"