Lech Lecha 5775

This week's parsha speaks of the Mitzvah of bris milah as Hashem commands Avraham to perform it on himself and his household. The Midrash brings a conversation between Rabbi Akiva and Turnus Rufus. Rufus asks, why is there a Mitzvah to perform bris milah? If Hashem desires it, why not create Man with a milah? Rabbi Akiva answers that the Mitzvos are to refine us. Hashem gives us the opportunity to perfect ourselves. We are to take the mundane and sanctify it through Hashem's commandments.

Noach 5775

There are thousands of types of animals and birds in the world. Additionally, such an amount of creatures would require an incredible amount of food and space in order to multiply. The Ramban explains that it was a miracle that the ark was able to hold everything; the small was able to hold the large. Why then was the ark as big as it was? Why not make a smaller one and rely on the miracle? The Ramban goes on to say that the way miracles in the Torah work requires man to do whatever he can and the rest is left for Hashem. It is important to lead an active life and not to sit back and wait for things to happen. Hashem rewards those who put in effort.