Olive & honey – No’ach
No’ach sent out a dove from the Ark to see if the flood waters had receded.
The bird came back with olive leaves in its mouth even though there were other alternatives.
Rashi quotes the Talmudic view that the dove announced, “I could have brought back honey, but that would have needed others to help. I knew the olive came from God.”
We can all learn from the dove. To rely on others can be a risky business. You feel humiliated when you have to ask for help, and you feel affronted if the answer is “No”.
Better is a modicum from God: doves know He is reliable and doesn’t insult anyone, and humans should learn the same lesson.
