Surely one of the most well known of the Torah’s stories involves Noah and the flood. A righteous man living in a lawless and violent age, Noah is commanded to build an ark and to gather representatives of all the species of animals into the ark so they can survive a flood that will wipe out errant humanity and allow mankind to begin anew through Noah. As the rain waters fall and the floodwaters storm, Noah, his family, and his herds are safe inside. Read more...

Every school child is familiar with the story of Noah and the Flood. God tired of the cruelty and immorality of humankind and vowed to destroy the entire species through a spectacular deluge. But God selected one righteous family, that of Noah, and saved them by instructing them to build an ark. Noah did so and saved himself, his family and representatives of all the different types of animals and birds. Read more...

Is Judaism a particularistic religion, concerned only with the well-being and sanctity of the Jewish People, or is it also one of the universalistic faiths, expressing a concern for all humanity in every region of the globe? To the enemies of our people, Judaism is portrayed as a narrow, legalistic and particularistic religion.  By focusing on the Chosen People -- defined as the Jews -- and their needs -- to the exclusion of everyone else's, Judaism seems to show an indifference to the rest of the world.  Read more...