Exactly one year after the Flood began, the earth was dry enough to be habitable. But Noah was reluctant to leave the ark, for he and the animals had lived in peace and harmony within it. Noah knew that once the animals would leave the ark, they would revert to their naturally aggressive behavior.
Accepting the Challenge
וַיְדַבֵּר אֱלֹקִים אֶל נֹחַ לֵאמֹר: צֵא מִן הַתֵּבָה וגו': (בראשית ח:טו–טז)
G‑d spoke to Noah, saying “Leave the ark!” Genesis 8:15-16
As we have seen, “entering the ark” is a metaphor for the need to immerse ourselves in Torah study and prayer. However, the true purpose of entering the ark is to leave it. G‑d command us – as He commanded Noah – not to remain in the protective spiritual environment of Torah study and prayer, but to emerge from it, enter the world, and transform the world into G‑d’s home.1
A translated quotation of the Rebbe that I particularly like to reread is, “Torah is found in the human being who finds theft and murder a convenient alternative—but refrains because G‑d says so.—Maamar B’sha’ah Shehikdimu 5732–{Wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe}~Tzvi Freeman” ••• one or two of the Seven Laws of Noach…