The Month of Marcheshvan: A Time for Reflection and Renewal

One reason for the attention on this month is that it is devoid of holidays and joy, marked by various trials for the Jewish people. Another reason pertains to the water, specifically the rain that the world eagerly anticipates during this month. In Hebrew, 'Mar' means a drop of water, as referenced in the scripture: 'Indeed, the nations are like a drop from a bucket' (Isaiah 40:15). A key reason we will focus on is highlighted in the Talmud and Midrash, which notes that in this month, the flood began that swept away all life on earth, except for Noah and his family. The sign given for this month in the mystical teachings is the letter 'Nun'.

There is an important lesson to be learned from this month, its symbols, and the events that occurred within it. Let us delve deeper: Our sages expound on the verse 'For the earth was filled with violence' (Genesis 6:13) - 'The judgment of the generation of the flood was sealed only due to theft.' Despite their being engaged in immorality, the tipping point was theft. In rabbinic thought, theft represents the destructive force of taking, reflecting the inner desires of humans, characterized by selfishness and a disdain for kindness.

Moreover, this act signifies a lack of faith and fear of Hashem, for a believing person understands that their sustenance is predetermined by the Creator, and no one can take what is meant for another. The thief embodies two of these evil roots - a lack of faith and reverence for Hashem, and selfishness (often manifesting as baseless hatred). The corruption of the generation of the flood was so profound that it encompassed and destroyed all of creation.

Thus, it was decided that the punishment, which is essentially the correction, would come specifically through a flood, because the entire world required purification from the inherent theft and taking that had penetrated to its core. Consequently, the waters, symbolizing kindness and the power of giving, stand in stark contrast to the actions of the generation of the flood. This is why the flood lasted forty days, corresponding to the forty se'ah, the amount of water in a kosher mikveh that purifies a person, and in this case, the world from its impurity. We have clarified the events and concepts aside from the letter 'Nun' (according to the teachings of Kabbalah) and its connection to the month of Marcheshvan. Now let's shed some light on this puzzling connection.

Psalm 145 is arranged according to the Hebrew alphabet, containing all the letters except for the letter 'Nun'. It is explained in the Talmud that King David omitted this letter because it signifies the word 'fall.' Yet, King David alludes to it in the next verse in the psalm: 'Hashem supports all who fall.' The sages of Kabbalistic thought explain that from descent and falling comes ascent, and the fall is necessary for the rise; from destruction springs rebirth and salvation. The letter 'Nun', which represents falling and signifies taking (theft), also symbolizes the power of giving.

Just like a seed buried in the ground, decaying day by day, eventually gives rise to a magnificent and grand tree, so too, in the building of a person and the world, out of destruction and decay shines the sun, and a new light emerges. The takeaway from all this is that through our actions, a person can elevate and ennoble themselves and all of creation, but they can also destroy and ruin.

The generation of the flood chose to follow their desires and the wickedness of their hearts, ultimately corrupting the entire world to such an extent that their rectification was to erase the existing world and build a new one. It is truly remarkable to witness now how the Creator orchestrates the events of the world, managing it all. Though we do not grasp even a drop of the depth of His justice due to our limited understanding, from what little we do comprehend, we see that His punishments are not meant to harm but rather to serve as remedies and to make up for the deficiencies we have created in the world.

In these challenging days when everything around us seems to be falling apart and chaos reigns, we need this perspective: that from destruction and ruin, rebirth and salvation will arise. When it appears that we cannot do anything to improve the situation, it is vitally important to remember that our actions are what lead to goodness, or God forbid, the opposite.