Chelek Chof Hey, page 19: Dont give up on anyone

This sicha learning is in zchus of a Refuah Sheleima for Levi HaLevi ben Leah!

In this week’s sicha the Rebbe explores why Noach didn’t daven for his generation as Moshe later did. Reb Yehuda explains that this wasn’t Noach’s fault, he simply lived before the Avos, whose merit empowered Moshe’s prayers. Reb Yitzchak, however, argues that even without those merits, Noach still should have prayed for others; somehow, he could have found a way to arouse mercy for his generation. Reb Levik explains that these two views reflect their inner traits: Reb Yehuda’s chessed versus Reb Yitzchak’s gevurah. We know dan l’kaf zechus- judging others favorably - isn’t only for those with a kind nature; it’s a rule for every Jew, no matter their temperament.

The discussion parallels Rashi’s comment on “Noach ish tzadik bedorosav” - was Noach righteous only in his generation or would he have been even greater among true tzadikim? If the Torah prefers positive language, why mention a possible negative? The Rebbe explains that when Torah describes a person, it always uses positive language, but when it teaches a lesson, clarity takes priority - even if it sounds critical. Guidelines must be clear. 

Here the Torah isn’t telling us biographical details about Noach, but giving us guidance: to learn from Noach’s limits, not to imitate them. Noach did the best he could in his generation, but for us the lesson is not to stop at “I did my part.” Like Reb Yitzchak emphasizes, we must never give up on anyone; even when a situation seems hopeless, we can, and must, continue to daven and reach out.

This teaching carries powerful relevance today. Sometimes we feel we’ve tried everything to inspire others or fix a situation, and we tell ourselves it’s out of our hands. But the Rebbe reminds us: don’t stop praying, don’t stop believing, and don’t stop caring. The very act of staying committed brings divine mercy and opens new channels of blessing. Just as Moshe, a man of emes, wanted us to follow in Aharon’s ways of peace, we can “do Noach a favor” by learning from his story and choosing differently - never giving up on a fellow Jew, always believing in the possibility of change, and bringing closer the time when “no Jew will ever be lost again.”