Parshas Noach - 2015

Breishis 6:14
Rashi - "Make for yourself and ark"

"Maybe they would repent" Rashi.  

Sounds passive.  I would think since the generation is so corrupt it would seem obvious that they would not do teshuva just by watching him build an ark for 120 years.  So what is Hashem's plan here?  I'm thinking fire and brimstone for the wicked and Hashem is saying light and fluffy.

When Hashem provides a way for people to do teshuva, it must be the very best, there's nothing better.  Hashem is perfect.  Whenever Hashem does something it is perfect.  There is no wrong.  This reads smooth but is a concept to ponder.  

Hashem doesn't make mistakes?  Hashem is perfect?  Wow.  And me.  What about me?  Do I make mistakes?  Is everything I do perfect?  Hmmm.  Hashem does not try and fail.  Chas v'shalom.  Of course not.  Yet we see Hashem wanted the people of Noach's generation to do teshuva and what happened?  They didn't.  The world and all of them were destroyed.  Hmm.

The world, the people in it have free choice.  Here it is at play.  Hashem wants one way, the people choose another.  So is Hashem making his first mistake?  

Hashem provided them an incredible way for to choose to do teshuva.  Everyday for 120 years people would see Noach building this ark.  Piece by piece.  Everyday Hashem was putting this out there for them to see.  An opportunity.  A person can be influenced to do good or be influenced to bad.  We know also that a person can be influenced to do teshuva.  No one will arguing this.  The point is why isn't he bringing the thunder and lightning or use a scare tactic that sends it home a little better. Ie, start the rain, make it come down hard, a make pretend flood!  

So Rashi says 'maybe they would repent', why the maybe?  Guess what, these people of that generation were long gone.  They only thing Hashem could provide for them was a rope for them to climb up.  Maybe they'll take hold of it maybe they won't.  
When it comes to teshuva Hashem wants it for us, but doesn't 'do it' Himself.  (R' Frand)

Even for the very wicked who are going to be destroyed.  He cannot make people do teshuva.  This is happening all over Torah.   Ninveh, Yirmiyahu. Moshe Rabbeinu.

How do we know Hashem desires teshuva?  Look here at Noach.  Hashem makes him build an ark over 120 years so people would have the chance to do teshuva!  He wants teshuva and He's very patient to receive it.