Noach - Prince Charming
Charm is not merely a surface quality but a reflection of inner strength.
The protagonist of this week’s namesake parsha is Noah, who is characterized as a tzadik (righteous person). But even before this narrative, we get a glimpse of his character in the final verse of last week’s parsha, where we are told that:
וְנֹ֕חַ מָ֥צָא חֵ֖ן בְּעֵינֵ֥י ה׳
"And Noah found favor in the eyes of God" (Genesis 6:8).
However, since no explanation is provided, one might conclude that God’s favoritism was arbitrary, which indeed is how Christian theology views God’s decision to select certain individuals, such as Noah and Abraham.
But we know that can’t be the case, because the idea of God choosing people randomly is inconsistent with our belief that God values our actions and that they always have significance. Additionally, the Torah’s protagonists are chosen with intention; each of them embodies essential virtues and lessons that contribute to the Torah’s larger narrative. So, what is the basis for God’s relationship with Noah?
One logical way to discern God’s reasoning is to examine an earlier reference to Noah, upon his birth:
וַיִּקְרָ֧א אֶת־שְׁמ֛וֹ נֹ֖חַ לֵאמֹ֑ר זֶ֞ה יְנַֽחֲמֵ֤נוּ מִמַּֽעֲשֵׂ֨נוּ֙ וּמֵֽעִצְּב֣וֹן יָדֵ֔ינוּ מִן־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֵֽרֲרָ֖הּ ה׳
"He called his name Noah, saying, 'This one will bring us relief from our work and from the toil of our hands, from the ground that Hashem has cursed'" (Genesis 5:29).
It was predicted that Noah would bring comfort to the world. Rashi explains that he ended up inventing the plow (and other farming tools), and through that innovation, he brought widespread consolation to the world. His invention had particular significance because God had cursed the ground after the sin of Adam and Eve, and Noah was the first person with the determination and skill to grapple with such a daunting task. I think this story is a clue as to why he found favor in God’s eyes.
Noah was the classic underdog, much like our Philadelphia favorite, Rocky. The very reason why Hollywood loves to celebrate underdogs is that they have a certain charm, which makes them popular. I think Noah’s accomplishment fits that script: he took on an arduous challenge and persevered until he found success.
Noah’s name contains the same letters as the word chein (חן) (charm), perhaps suggesting that he and Charm are two sides of the same coin. His name also shares roots with Nechama (נחמה), meaning consolation, which offers comfort after loss. In a way, someone who endures mourning and finds consolation can gain a unique kind of charm—an inner charisma forged by resilience and strength.
If you aspire to bring more charm into your life, Kabbalistic teachings suggest repeating the verse “וְנֹ֕חַ מָ֥צָא חֵ֖ן בְּעֵינֵ֥י ה׳"—"And Noah found favor in God’s eyes"—three times. I often recommend this practice to people feeling nervous before a date—who knows, it just might work! Charm is indeed a key ingredient in a happy relationship; it’s that special “X factor,” the quality that draws people together. Marriage, after all, brings two very different individuals into a partnership, and for the union to succeed, at least two things are essential: character and charm.
Noah’s story reminds us that true charm doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. Often, we find someone charming because of their warmth, kindness, and the way they radiate empathy and humanity. But how can we know if that charm is authentic? It’s easy to be drawn in by someone who makes us feel good, yet many charming charlatans have misled people into reckless or harmful choices by projecting an image that isn’t real.
Even a baby has a kind of charm, rooted in the sincerity of their efforts—whether they’re trying to walk, yawning, or giving a little smile. This charm feels authentic because it’s grounded in genuine effort and innocence. Similarly, while someone may seem charming by projecting warmth or good intentions, authentic charm goes much deeper. True charm is built on resilience, perseverance, and a commitment to one’s values, especially when faced with challenges, frustration, and defeat.
This inner strength shapes not only their behavior but also the meaningful connections they create. True charm, then, is more than outward appeal; it’s the lasting and trustworthy bond formed through depth of character.
The Kabbalistic practice of repeating this verse aims to inspire that inner strength, drawing on the power of Torah and the example of Noah. In this way, charm becomes more than an outer trait; it becomes a natural extension of inner strength, a quality that endures through hardship and radiates with grace. And that, in the end, is the most lasting charm of all.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eliezer Hirsch