According to the Zohar (Parashat Mishpatim), Noach's
generation was worthy of receiving the Torah. They
possessed tremendous energy and drive, but their
potential strengths were channeled in negative
directions, towards evil and destructive behavior. Noach
saw his generation's external negative traits and was
quick to distance himself from them. If he had taken the
time to look closer, he would have discovered the
tremendous positive potential that lay dormant behind the
outer wrapping, potential awaiting the tzaddik's touch to
uncover the goodness and bring it to fruition.
- Based on talk by Harav Yehuda Amital
In the end of any analysis, Noach is the father of us all,
and this teaches us that even if we do not realize the whole
potential of what we or our generation might have accomplished,
we still can achieve a level of accomplishment that will merit
benefit to others.
- Heard from R. Mordechai Brown