Maghen Abraham - Thoughts From Mayer Sasson

"And you shall make illumination (צהר) for the ark and finish it down to one cubit (אמה) at the top..." (6,16)

To arouse the Trait of Mercy

Rabbi Gershon Stern, Rabbi of Marsh Lirash learned a wonderful allusion in this verse for the saying in the Gemara that the prayers of the righteous can change the Trait of Judgment into the Trait of Mercy.

G-d said to the righteous Noach – "You shall make illumination (צהר) for the ark" – You are able to change the wordצרה  - trouble - to an illumination –צהר  through theאמה  which is initials for אלקים מידת הדין - G-d is the Trait of Judgment.

Through your prayers that will arise to the top you will finish off the Trait of Judgment that caused this trouble – צרה and will cause the Trait of Mercy to be aroused instead of it.

SHABBAT SHALOM!!!