The Slonimer Rebbe explains that the Torah is not merely relating historical events. Rather, it is giving us practical lessons in our avodas Hashem. The Zohar says that the name Noach refers to Shabbos, the day upon which there is menucha and both worlds, above and below, are at nach, rest. The world is described as being full of destruction and sin, vatishacheis ha’aretz, but Noach was motza chein, found favor. Although the week may have been full of spiritual destruction, one can always rescue oneself by running to Shabbos. If we tap into the power of Shabbos, we can be protected from all the negative spiritual effects that we may have created during the week.
Shabbos is the teivah, the ark, which shelters us from the waters of the flood, from all the spiritual ruin that wreaks havoc upon our souls. Shabbos is the root of attachment between Hashem and Klal Yisrael, the Nesivos Shalom says, and when we work to rebuild this attachment, we escape from the evils present in the world, and can merit redemption.
