Last year I adopted two rescue kittens. We only wanted one, but they were bonded litter mates. They were really terrified of me, and still are a bit skittish. Why do animals fear us? Genesis 9:2 explains that after the flood, awe and terror of animals against humans would be the reality in a world in which humans are carnivores, which happens after the flood. Noach (Noah) is a righteous man during horribly violent times, and by walking after G8d’s ways ends up becoming life’s salvation. Within the ark there is light and trust, Afterwards, animals are in awe of humans, and terrified. Our part in the brit -covenant, is to be like Noach. Once again, as in the first reading in Genesis (B’reisheet), human connections to the other animals are featured. Our part of the new covenant is to be like Noach, a comfort, a salvation from the slaughter we are imposing. His name actually means comfort! Sources here
The iconic images of spaceship earth teaches us that the entire planet is an ark. Times are violent once again, and we are in need of brave souls who can bring us back into positive relationship to other creatures. Biologists call the era we live in now the Anthropocene – the era of humans changing the planet, and it also is an era of mass extinction. The rate of species disappearing has not been equaled since that asteroid pummeled the Gulf of Mexico, carving out the Yucatan peninsula and raising a firestorm so intense that 75% of species, including the non-bird dinosaurs became extinct (Cretaceous extinction event)
It has been heartbreaking to live through. Perhaps there is hope in an ancient mythical arc and skylight. And a quote by Margaret Mead “Never underestimate the ability of a small group of committed individuals to change the world.” (Mythical meaning larger than life, a culturally essential narrative.)
One of the most interesting parts of the Teva (ark) is the skylight, or Tzohar in the roof, or it might be a jewel which emits light. This light foreshadows the rainbow, a sign of the new covenant where G8d promises not to destroy all life again. White light contains all the colors of the rainbow – they simply must be separated to be seen, but are there all along. A covenant is a mutual deal. What is the human part of this deal? It must be to guard and protect planetary life as Noach did, in parallel to the mitzvah (commandment) given of “Ovda v’shomrah” to serve and to guard the Garden in Genesis, chapter two.
In comparing the blessings of Adam to that given to Noach (Noah) upon leaving the arc, notice the connection of creatures coming of their own accord by the command of the Holy One to Adam and to Noach. There are many more connections, showing this is a second creation. Both are blessed to be fruitful multiply and fill the earth. In addition Adam is commanded to “kivsuah” -conquer her (the earth). But after the violence of Noach’s generation, permission is not given to conquer the earth. Interestingly, however, permission is given to slaughter animals for meat. According to Cassuto and Rav Kook, this is a temporary situation, a compromise until our empathy turns, to one another, and to other creatures. Factory farms of today are not only steeped in unethical treatment of animals, and generation of harmful gut bacteria that get into the irrigation water, they are a key driver of deforestation and climate change. It treats animal life as if they were not creatures, rather as factory parts. Eco-kosher takes ethics into consideration. Factory farms are clearly unethical and should never be kosher.
Returning to my kittens and their fear of me – Kedushat Levi explains: (as it says in Genesis 9:2), “And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth.” Works of Mussar (ethical teachings) explain that when Yisrael– which I’ll translate as G8d-wrestlers after teachings of Arthur Waskow, perform the will of the Almighty, all creatures receive their sustenance through them—as the Sages stated (*Leviticus Rabbah* 36), (it is they who) channel abundance to all the worlds. Consequently, all creatures stand in awe of them;
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