_ In this week’s parsha, Noach, we see that Noah is instructed to “make for yourself an ark.” Alshich
suggests that the ark is a symbol that represents Noah’s behavior. He is being
forced to separate himself from the people physically, because while he was righteous
on his own, he made no effort to help raise the spiritual level of the people
around him. Many commentators note that for this reason he was considered
righteous for his time, but he did
not reach the level of our greatest leaders due to this limitation.
There is a natural comparison to a bystander in a bullying situation. While this person is neither the guilty bully nor the unfortunate individual being bullied, this observer witnesses the inappropriate actions going on nearby yet does nothing to stop them. While it is commendable that the bystander doesn’t join in the bullying, neither does he take the step of standing up for the individual being picked on. The bystander also misses a golden opportunity to let the bully know that his behavior is in no way being condoned and should in fact be condemned.
I do not mean to suggest this is easy, even for adults. I have personally heard a joke that I considered inappropriate, yet taken the bystander approach; I did not laugh, but neither did I interrupt to say that the joke was distasteful. It is my hope that I would choose differently today if confronted by this situation, but—as noted with Noah—it has been an area for growth for many people for many years.
Yesterday all of Yeshiva Atlanta attended the play “Golda’s Balcony” at the Alliance Theatre, a one-woman play recounting the life of Golda Meir. Tovah Feldshuh, the actress who carried the entire 90-minute show, stayed afterward to answer questions about the play and about the life of Golda Meir. Certainly Golda Meir would never be accused of being a bystander to challenging situations!
May we all reach for the commendable goal of not only improving ourselves, but helping others reach for greatness as well.
Shabbat Shalom--
Paul Oberman
There is a natural comparison to a bystander in a bullying situation. While this person is neither the guilty bully nor the unfortunate individual being bullied, this observer witnesses the inappropriate actions going on nearby yet does nothing to stop them. While it is commendable that the bystander doesn’t join in the bullying, neither does he take the step of standing up for the individual being picked on. The bystander also misses a golden opportunity to let the bully know that his behavior is in no way being condoned and should in fact be condemned.
I do not mean to suggest this is easy, even for adults. I have personally heard a joke that I considered inappropriate, yet taken the bystander approach; I did not laugh, but neither did I interrupt to say that the joke was distasteful. It is my hope that I would choose differently today if confronted by this situation, but—as noted with Noah—it has been an area for growth for many people for many years.
Yesterday all of Yeshiva Atlanta attended the play “Golda’s Balcony” at the Alliance Theatre, a one-woman play recounting the life of Golda Meir. Tovah Feldshuh, the actress who carried the entire 90-minute show, stayed afterward to answer questions about the play and about the life of Golda Meir. Certainly Golda Meir would never be accused of being a bystander to challenging situations!
May we all reach for the commendable goal of not only improving ourselves, but helping others reach for greatness as well.
Shabbat Shalom--
Paul Oberman
