• “Eyleh toldos Noach –” [These are the offspring of Noah]   Genesis 6:9

• “– Noach ish tzaddik tamim haya b’dorosav, es haElokim hees’ha’lech Noach”

[– Noah was a righteous man, perfect in his generations; Noah walked with G-d –]   Genesis 6:9

• “Va’yoled Noach shloshah banim: es Shaim es Cham v’es Yafes –”

[Noah had begotten three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth]   Genesis 6:10

Does anything here seem not quite right? If you think so, then you’re in good company, for many of the great Biblical commentators note that phrase #2 seems to be incorrectly inserted between phrase #1 and phrase #3. Rather, it would seem more logical that the verses should be ordered thus:

“These are the offspring of Noah, Noah had begotten three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. Noah was a righteous man, perfect in his generations; Noah walked with G-d.”

After all, aren’t the offspring of a person his children? Won’t our children provide a fitting legacy for us, remaining here in this world after our passing? Why insert the phrase about Noah’s righteousness here?

The classic Biblical commentator, Rashi zt”l writes in answer to our questions, that the insertion of phrase #2 right after phrase #1 comes “to teach us that the main offspring [alternatively: creations or legacy] of the righteous are good deeds.”

Yes, of course it’s true that any children/students/protégés we have will give us a certain measure of longevity in the world even after we have passed on. But the real legacy and lasting offspring of the righteous are their good deeds, their acts of kindness towards others, their acts of kindness towards G-d. For these things, they will always be remembered, very likely by their fellow man, but most certainly by G-d.

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For a year before her death, a neighbor spent every Friday afternoon delivering flowers and small gifts to her neighbors, friends and acquaintances, wishing them a good Shabbos with the presentation. Sometimes, she would leave them anonymously, but eventually, people came to learn that the small gifts were from her. Once I saw her on her deliveries, oxygen tube in place, and asked her why she did this. She answered simply, “Because it makes people happy.” And, indeed, it did. When her friends and neighbors think back on her legacy, they will always remember the small gifts and kindness she delivered with her ebbing strength in her final days.

I have a neighbor who is a talmid chacham and an accomplished writer. And yet, every day of the summer, he is outside playing ball with his kids or going swimming with them, taking time from his precious schedule to make sure his children know that they, too, are important in his life. After 120 years, I am certain that these acts of kindness and love will be part of a lasting legacy which he will leave to his family and to those who have been privileged to observe his actions.

I have a wife who does innumerable acts of kindness every day of the week throughout the year, helping everyone, listening to and advising family, friends, community members and even strangers if the case arises. She is pleasant and of good cheer and is one of the few people I know who is truly dan l’chaf zechus (judging others favorably) in every conceivable situation. My wife, handicapped from an early childhood polio infection, has every reason to excuse herself from any number of physical activities – but she never does, unless truly exhausted. I am convinced that her deeds will live beyond her years as a lasting legacy.

It is not our material fame or fortune which will grant us eternal remembrance (after all, you can’t take it with you), but the good deeds of the righteous which will be “their main toldos” – legacy and offspring.

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What kindnesses can we do for G-d that will bring us closer to Him and give Him cause to bring the Redemption even closer – especially during these trying days when the Jewish people are so physically and spiritually challenged?

Do you have set times for learning Torah every day? If so, great; if not, there is no time like the present to begin. Even a short learning seder every day can make a tremendous difference. If you already have times to learn Torah, perhaps we can add on a few minutes or a new topic, asking G-d to remember us for good because of our extended effort.

Do you say Tehillim (Psalms) every day? If so, great; if not, there is no time like the present to begin. Even one chapter a day can make a difference in the world and in your legacy. If you can find the time to invest ten or fifteen minutes a day, you can ‘log-on’ to the seder of saying and completing Tehillim every month. Our rabbis tell us that saying Tehillim during these dangerous and trying times can only help our cause and arouse Divine mercy.

Do you pray like you mean it, or is you davening merely an intellectual exercise combined with watching the clock? When standing before G-d in the silent Shmoneh Esrei, are we really praising, asking and thanking the Creator, or are we just saying the words? Truly, we must reexamine our priorities and show G-d that we are really reaching out and talking to Him in a slow and reasonable fashion.

Do you greet every person you meet with a friendly countenance (sever panim yafos – Pirkei Avos)? I find it tremendously discouraging to meet someone with a scowl on their face, and tremendously uplifting to meet someone with a smile there instead. How much effort does it take? Since we are created b’tzelem Elokim (in

G-d’s image) and since we are His chosen people, it brings honor to Him if we greet others cheerfully.

Do you have the capacity to forgive someone who has done you wrong? G-d takes tremendous pleasure when we are able to overlook the shortcomings of others and forgive – for then, we are truly like Him, Who bestows kindness to the world and its inhabitants every instant, and nevertheless overlooks our constant trespasses. Every night we say before retiring, “I forgive everyone who has done me wrong” – Is it true? Do we mean it? The amount of nachas we can give to G-d and Divine favor we can bring into the world is incalculable when we are able to forgive and reestablish achdus (unity) with our family members, friends and within our community.

We just finished saying Hallel once again on Rosh Chodesh, once again we implored G-d to “Please save us! Please grant us success!” Now, more than ever, we need this salvation, this ability to succeed and this Divine blessing.

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Let us choose to be tamim – perfect and righteous, as was Noah – with both G-d and with man and choose to write (in our Book of Life) an everlasting legacy for ourselves and for klal Yisrael; for the lasting legacy of the righteous are their good deeds which they perform while still part of this world.