Adapt To Change

We read in Noach the story of Noach’s inebriation following the Mabul. The Torah tells that Noach planted a vineyard, grew grapes, and produced wine, from which he drank to the point of intoxication. In his drunken state, he undressed himself, and one of his sons – Cham – did what he did, for which he was later cursed.

One question that arises in this story is why Noach became drunk. Had he never drunk wine in the past, before the flood? Why did he drink to the point of intoxication?

The Sfas Emes (Likutim, Parshas Noach) attributes this incident to the biological changes that had taken place as a result of the flood. He writes that “the generations and nature changed,” such that small quantities of wine which Noach had been accustomed to drinking now caused intoxication. Noach drank the same quantity of wine which he would normally drink before the flood – not realizing the physical changes that occurred and which lowered his level of alcohol tolerance.

The Tolna Rebbe Shlita commented that the Sfas Emes' understanding of this incident has broader implications, teaching us of the need for awareness of the differences between different periods and different ages. Methods, techniques and practices that were effective in one generation may be “intoxicating” in other generations such as educational approaches, which need to be adapted to suit the particular characteristics and realities of every era. The educational techniques that were used in the past are not necessarily appropriate for present-day realities, and can, like Noach’s wine, do more harm than good. The Rebbe Shlita applied this lesson also to our individual lives, noting that conduct and practices which are suitable in one stage of life are inappropriate at other stages. We must avoid the tendency to conveniently stay the same w/o taking into account the changing realities.