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“Then AD’NAI saw that the wickedness of humankind was great on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their heart was only evil all the time.” Genesis 6:5, Tree of Life Version The question may be asked, why did G’d bother creating man in the first place, if He knew that man would fall; this question presupposes the recognition of G’d as Omniscient. Since G’d is All-Knowing, cognizant of past, present and future, isn’t this a conundrum to be puzzled upon by us mortals: if G’d knew how far man would initially stray from G’d’s Divine Plan – His intentions for man to follow the ideal image reflected by G’d Himself – why did He create man knowing that this would be a false start? (Chizkuni) The answer given by Chizkuni is drawn from the midrash: "everything is given over to the authority of Heaven, except for the fear of Heaven" (the awe, reverence, and respect towards G’d) that man should give to his Creator). In other words, man who was created by G'd with free will, is given the opportunity to see it incumbent upon himself to develop a healthy fear of G’d (yiras Ad’nai). Even though G’d knew that mankind would become corrupt, the institution of free will called for G’d to permit man to exercise his free choice, along with its consequences. Unfortunately, man fell into the abyss of idolatry and immorality, because he lacked yiras Ad’nai. Instead of being in awe of G’d, the generation of the Mabul (Flood) chose to defy Him (Chizkuni). Yet, “Noah found favor in AD’NAI’s eyes.” “Noah was a righteous man. He was blameless among his generation. Noah continually walked with G’d” (Genesis 6:8,9, TLV). “By faith Noah, when warned about events not yet seen, in holy fear prepared an ark for the safety of his household.” Hebrews 11:7, Tree of Life Version Noah was the tzaddik (righteous man) of his generation. His emunah (faith) in the L’RD compelled him to follow through with the L’RD’s commandment. Noah demonstrated yiras Ad’nai, inasmuch that his awe, reverence and trust in G’d, Who was about to enact His Judgment upon Mankind, led him to follow through with G’d’s design to renew the face of the earth. “You send forth Your Ruach – they are created, and You renew the face of the earth” (Psalm 104:30, TLV). G’d renewed the earth, in order to continue with His Divine Plan. Today, the responsibility is upon mankind to continue to fulfill G’d’s will; tikkun olam, the rectification of the world requires trust in the Creator. “The righteous will live by his trust” (Habakkuk 2:4, TLV). Noah is a prefigure of Messiah “who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our G’d and Father” (Galatians 1:4, TLV). When we place our faith in Messiah, we are climbing aboard the Ark of Refuge, that will safeguard us against the floodwaters of our lives. “Do not let floodwaters sweep over me, nor the deep swallow me up, nor the Pit shut its mouth over me.” Psalm 69:16, Tree of Life Version