And this Week, it's Two Zebras...
True enough, there were two zebras on the Teiva. But, no, this week's "lead tidbit" is not about zebras at all — I just decided to catch your attention by mentioning that striped animal again. Hopefully, you will find what is written about the one who was commanded to bring the two zebras into the TEIVA of interest.

In the ZICHRONOT (Remembrances) section of the Rosh HaShana Musaf, there seems to be a disproportionate amount of text — both the prayer's text as well as Biblical quotes — dealing with No'ach. And No'ach too You remembered... with LOVE. Very unusual reference. Love is not mentioned in connection to the Avot or Bnei Yisrael in Egypt. Just with No'ach.

(Avraham IS called G-d's beloved, in the Tanach, but not in this central bracha of the RH Musaf.)

We rarely go further back than Avraham Avinu. And when the Pesach Hagada is describing our "shameful" origins, we mention Terach, Avraham's idol-worshiping father. But the reference to No'ach in the Zichronot bracha is beautiful. G-d remembered him with love. Very unusual.
Someone I mentioned the B'AHAVA to suggested that based on the less-favorable explanation of No'ach's being a Tzadik Tamim in HIS GENERATION, that perhaps he needed the extra measure of mercy that "with love" implies, in order to be saved. The Avot, on the other hand, had sufficient merit on their own. I'm not convinced in that direction. I see it more as a reminder of who No'ach was.

No'ach was the single bright spot in a world that was so corrupt that G-d actually regretted (so to speak) having created it at all. No'ach made it worth G-d's while (so to speak) not to destroy everything. It wasn't just himself that he saved; he saved his wife, sons, their wives — the human race. And the animal kingdom. Although the implication from Pirkei Avot is that Avraham's accomplishment was greater — having the whole world spared and receiving the reward of it all — No'ach's achievement was no small thing. And in his generation, no less! 

No'ach truly believed in G-d and followed Him. No'ach was Avraham's teacher for many years. (How many depends on the disputed age that Avraham came to belief in One G-d.) Avraham was 58 years old when No'ach died. 

But here's the point. Even with an Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov and the Jewish Nation they fathered, we still recognize and remember (as did G-d) the contribution of No'ach to this world. We are human beings, in addition to being Jews. And No'ach is our father.