Noach

The passuk states, “ויחל נח איש האדמה ויטע כרם.” Rashi writes that Noach made himself chulin, he should have been involved in planting something else first such as wheat for sustenance but not a grape-tree. The Kli Yakar points out that wine is something which easily brings to aveira. It was not something which he should have planted first.

The Seforno explains differently, “ויחל” hints at a “התחלה, start”; Noach was involved with improper actions, therefore, from it brought to other actions which are not good. Even if there is just a little bit of kilkul at the beginning, it brings to much kilkul later on.

Later in the Parsha the Torah mentions the Dor Haflagah. The Drashos HaRan writes that they did not do any aveira in thought, speech, or deed. They simply decided to appoint a ruler and be together as one group in one area with a tower fitting for a ruler. However, Hashem descended and checked into their group to see whether it was good or bad. Hashem saw that although now they were not doing anything bad per say, such a gathering is improper and will brings to avodah zara. It will cause the future generations to forget about Hashem. Therefore, Hashem decided to ruin their group and scatter them. This is as the passuk states, “זה החלם לעשות,” from the lashon of starting. By starting together to be independent, it will bring to distance themselves from Hashem the Creator.

Tosfos relates a number of reasons why Elisha ben Avuyah (Acher) went off the proper path. One reason is that by his bris, the heads of Yerushalayim came and his father Avuyah sat them in one house. Rav Eliezer and Rav Yehoshua also came and he sat them in another house. While the other men were eating, drinking, and dancing, Rav Eliezer and Rav Yehoshua said we’ll learn Torah. They were osek in Torah and fire came down from Shamayim and surrounded them. Avuyah asked, “Are you coming to burn down my house?” They answered, “chas v’shalom, rather we were learning and it was so enjoyable as it was given on Sinai, which was given with fire. Avuyah said, “since the strength of Torah is so great, I’m going to give my son over to Torah.” My Rosh HaYeshiva explained that since Avuyah’s interest to start his son’s learning career was not solely l’shem Shamayim, therefore his son did not merit to remain on the path of Torah, but rather it led Acher off. May Hashem help us make new starts solely l’shem Shamayim which then will bring to a good continuation!