Believers feel that nothing happens by coincidence.

If we look in the last two Torah portions, Bereshit and Noach, we find that hamas is mentioned. Hamas, the Hebrew word for violence, is the reason God gives for flooding the world.

“And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth has become full of violence because of them, and behold I am destroying them from the earth”

While Hamas in Arabic has other meanings. Today, “violence” seems to perfectly encapsulate the organization.

The commentators also refer to this week’s portion as giving advice on how to deal with fear.

While external threats can raise one’s stress levels, true fear comes about when life appears wasted.

True fear comes about when one's legacy is challenged.

We see this in the story of Noah. Noah doesn't flinch when the world is being inundated. He follows G-d's directives to the letter and with complete faith. It is only after the flood that problems arise. Noah does not want to get out the Ark. Noah is afraid that his descendants might run into problems, that he'll have grandchildren and great-grandchildren, only to have them wiped out in another flood. He asks, "What is the point?" G-d promises Noah, that while bad things may still happen to the world, it will never again be completely annihilated in a flood. G-d tells Noah that he will have a lasting legacy. With that promise, Noah sends out the doves and prepares to leave the Ark.

In these challenging times, focus on your legacy and the strength of the Jewish people, and it will make the tumultuous seas seem much calmer.