“All beings that moved on the earth died: birds, animals, beasts, and all creeping critters that creep on the earth and all men. Anything that has a spirit in it – everything on the dry land, died.” (Bereshis 7:21-22)
– but the fish did not die (Rashi)

Ever think about it: how can Moshiach (Messiah) come during our generation? If the previous generations, who were on a much, much higher level than we are today, could not merit Moshiach, how can we?

To answer this question, let’s begin by taking a close look at the flood during Noach’s time. As the verse states, not only did the flood destroy all of the human population except for the 8 people in the big boat (No, it was not Gilligan, Skipper, and the others. It was Noach, his wife, his sons, and his sons’ wives), but it killed out all of the animals of the world, except the fish. The question can be asked: why did the animals deserve to die and what merit did the fish have that they did not deserve to die. The answer is the animals were wicked also, but the fish were not. The animals were influenced by watching what the humans did and the animals followed the evil ways of man. The fish, though, were underwater and since scuba gear did not exist back then, the fish rarely ever had any contact with the humans. Therefore, the fish were not influenced negatively by the human’s behavior.

We can see from this that the power of influence is so strong that animals can even be influenced by those around them. Although humans are much more intelligent than animals, we are also strongly influenced by the things around us. For example, Rabi Yehoshua’s mother brought his crib to the Beis Midrash so he would be surrounded by the greatest men of his generation. In the end, he grew up to be one of the greatest Sages that ever lived. He merited this because he was constantly surrounded by good influences. Unfortunately, the same is true with negative influences. If a person is brought up in a violent household, the person is very likely to be a violent person also. Humans are very much influenced by what is around them.

Our generation is unfortunately full of negative influences. We can go onto the Internet and see more immodesty than was ever seen in any generation. Or walk over to the TV and watch terrible violence. People have no patience. People care more about their money than their children. Children have become orphans even though their parents are still physically alive. And although we have so many luxuries, people are not happy! So many people walk around angry everyday. The previous generations were not like this. This generation is extremely negative and all of these things have a huge influence on us.

But this is the exact reason why our generation can bring Moshiach! Let’s explain with a metaphor: If someone lights a candle in the middle of the day, it does not do very much. People will walk right by it and not even notice it because there is so much light in the world already. But if someone lights a small candle during the darkest part of the night, it brightens up a large area. This explains the previous generations and our generation.

It is true that in previous generations, if a person did a mitzvah, it was certainly a great thing. The general society, though, was good also so it was like lighting a match in the middle of the day. It certainly added light, but it was not very much noticed. During our generation though, it is very negative and dark. But if a person can fight these negative influences and do what is right, then it is like lighting a match in the middle of the night. It is extremely tough to do, but it is possible. As stated, influences are very strong, but it is because of the strength of these influences in our generation, that if we are able to turn our backs on them, then we are greater than the previous generations. The previous generations did not have the tests on their morals like we do today. We have a great opportunity in our generation – let’s not be influenced to throw away this opportunity.

May we merit to bring light to the world during these dark times and see the coming of Moshiach.

Good Shabbos!
-yes
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