Parshat Noah is a writers dream. Among other adventures, we have the flood/ark drama, the Tower of Babel, and one very unfortunate drunken incident. Today, I’d like to focus on something small to learn something large. Most people know that Noah sent out a dove to ascertain if it was safe to leave the ark. Many also know that the dove returns with an olive branch. Fewer know that the olive branch trip was the second of three dove flyabouts, and actually the third bird reconnaissance mission. Before the dove, Noah sent the raven.
Ravens are birds often associated with darkness, death, and horror (thank you Edgar Allen Poe), but in Judaism there is a very special role for this bird of prey. In Sweet Malida, poet Zilka Joseph invites readers into the world of the Bene Israel Jews who have a special relationship with Elijah the prophet. She reminds readers that when Elijah was banished, it was the raven that fed him. She asks us to recall that every creature has its place. When the raven returns to the ark so quickly, it is not selected for the next mission, and several commentators ascribe it malevolent, jealous, motives. However, Aggadic Midrash states that when the raven returns to the ark until “the drying of the waters,” the Torah is telling us the raven was preparing for it’s true mission – feeding Elijah after he was banished for prophesying that there would be no rain, aka a drying of the waters.
I like to think the story of the raven is reminding us to be generous with our fellow man and ourselves. Everyone has a purpose, we simply are sometimes sent on a mission that does not suite us. If we take our cues from the raven, and instead of giving up, we hold ourselves ready, then when the right mission comes along we will grasp the opportunity. We also won’t judge our colleagues as inconsequential to the story. We all have a part to play, we simply don’t know if it’s in the intro, middle, or conclusion of the story.
Love this interpretation of every bird having its role!