"And Elokim said: Let there be light"

We all value light and realize its importance for seeing around us, but its significance extends far beyond simply being able to see what is in front of our eyes.

Lighting can affect our efficiency and the way we perform tasks, such as reading and housework. It can also affect our mood, our attention span, our tolerance, our health and safety and the way we relate to others.

"Noach was a righteous man in his generations."

Rashi brings the divided opinions of our Sages regarding Noach. Some maintain that his righteousness was absolute; others, that it was relative to his generation. If, in his generation, which was wicked enough to warrant total annihilation, he maintained his righteousness, how much greater would he have been in the generation of Avrohom! On the other hand, it might be said to his detriment that only in contrast to his generation could he be considered righteous, whereas if he had been juxtaposed with Avrohom he would have been insignificant.

We are too puny to philosophize on this matter for this is a subject for far greater heads. We do see, however, something important: that a person is not always judged according to his circumstances, that is, his relative state of righteousness can even be an accusation rather than praise. In Avrohom's generation, Noach would have been a "nothing."