“These are the legacies of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, wholesome among his generation. Noah walked with God. Noah sired three sons – Shem, Ham, and Japheth.”
— Genesis 6:11-12
When we first meet Noah, the Torah introduces us to his legacies, or toldot. Derived from the verb holid, which means to sire, toldot typically refers to offspring. In fact, toldot often introduces a genealogy, and we need only look toward the following verse to find an introduction to Noah’s three children.
However, before we meet Noah’s offspring, we first read about Noah’s character. A righteous man, wholesome among his generation, Noah walked with God. According to the Midrash Tanhuma, these verses illustrate that the principal progeny of the righteous are not children, but good deeds.
As the Torah implies, we will be remembered, in part, by what we leave behind. The children we raise, the institutions we build, the words that we write—these will all contribute to our legacy. However, as the Midrash implies, we will also be remembered, in part, for our actions. Kindnesses to a stranger, compassion to a friend, integrity through word and action—these, too, will contribute to our legacy.
The everyday actions that reveal our character will create just as important and lasting an impression as our grandest achievements. In our never-ending quest to fashion a life of meaningful accomplishment, we must never forget what we can accomplish through a life lived according to our most sacred values.
These are the legacies of Noah. What will our legacies be?
— Rabbi Josh Knobel