The name Ryan Leaf is virtually synonymous with epic draft bust. He was selected number two overall in the NFL draft of 1998. Yet his football career was a disaster. Subsequently, he got in trouble with the law and is currently incarcerated in a Montana prison.
His football résumé was stellar. He led his college football team to its first Rose Bowl in 67 years and was a Heisman Trophy finalist. Everybody agreed he had a stronger arm than Peyton Manning, who was picked number one overall in the same draft.
Aside from his personal issues and character flaws, he failed miserably on the football field, with a pathetic career passer rating of 50.0. Just goes to show that the greatest résumé cannot guarantee the best results.
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In last week’s parsha, Noach we learned all about a great man, Noach. He was the only upright and moral man in his time. His family, alone, did G-d spare from the worldwide destruction of the flood.
The Torah describes Noach as follows: Noach was a righteous man he was perfect in his generations; Noach walked with G-d.
Contrast that with the Torah’s description of Avraham: nonexistent. The Torah simply says that G-d spoke to Avraham. There is absolutely no record of Avraham’s bona fides.
This doesn’t mean that Avraham’s credentials were lacking. If we peer into the Oral Tradition, such as the Talmud and Midrash, we find that Avraham had an impeccable résumé. He risked his life on numerous occasions to uphold his belief in G-d. He had amassed a following of believers, creating a monotheistic movement. He was certainly righteous. In fact, the Talmud states that he was more righteous than Noach.
Yet, the Torah is silent on Avraham’s credentials. We are introduced to Avraham at age 75. He goes on to live 100 years, of which the Torah tells us about in significant detail.
Let us contrast that as well with Noach. After the Flood we know virtually nothing about Noach, aside from his infamous run-in with intoxication.
What is the Torah’s message in choosing to be so generous about Noach’s accolades, while silent on his life’s achievements and so stingy on Avraham’s qualifications, while meticulous on his accomplishments?
It’s not enough to argue that Avraham takes center stage because he is the first Jew. For – if so – then why doesn’t the Torah give him his due upon introducing him?
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Avraham’s life was already quite storied by the time we are introduced to him at 75. Yet, the real, spiritual adventures are just beginning. Avraham’s greatness lies not in what he has accomplished, but rather in what he is eager to achieve now. He is defined by what lies ahead, not be what has already passed.
By contrast, Noach achieved greatness in the past. Yet, he was content with that accomplishment. He looked around and effectively said, “Not bad, I survived when no one else did. Mission accomplished. I can retire.”
Avraham, never accepted the status quo as good enough. If he was still breathing, that meant that he had more to do.
What Noach saw as the end, Avraham saw as the beginning.
Perhaps this is why the Torah is silent on the last 350 years of Noach’s life. He may have lived, but he stopped accomplishing. Avraham, however, saw a life full of opportunity ahead of him.
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We are all at different junctures in our lives. But the lesson from the first Jew is clear: Now is the first day of the rest of your life. You have a lot to accomplish and contribute.
Perhaps – like Avraham – you are just getting started.
Look to the future and start doing more mitzvot. That’s more important than any résumé you may or may not have.