What exactly was the difference between Shem and Yefet’s responses to their father’s embarrassment? What does Rashi mean when he writes that Shem was “more vigorous” (“nit’ametz yoter”) in performing this mitzva?
We read in Parashat Noach that after emerging from the ark following the flood, Noach planted a vineyard, partook of its wine, and became intoxicated. He fell into a drunken stupor and unclothed himself, subjecting himself to the mockery (or much worse, according to the Midrashim cited by Rashi to 9:22) of his son, Cham. Noach’s two other sons, Shem and Yefet, quickly covered their father to save him from further humiliation. When Noach returned to his senses and realized what happened, he pronounced blessings upon Shem and Yefet and issued a harsh curse against Cham.
Rashi (9:23) notes that in describing the action taken by Shem and Yefet, the Torah employs the singular form, “vayikach” (“he took”). What this indicates, Rashi explains, is that in truth there was only one hero in this episode – Shem. It was Shem who was “more vigorous in the mitzva” than Yefet, and the Torah therefore employs the singular form in reference to the covering of Noach. In reward, Rashi adds, the descendants of Shem – Benei Yisrael – were given the special mitzva of tzitzit, which alludes to the garment that Shem used to cover his father.
What exactly was the difference between Shem and Yefet’s responses to their father’s embarrassment? What does Rashi mean when he writes that Shem was “more vigorous” (“nit’ametz yoter”) in performing this mitzva?
Rav Soloveitchik (as cited in Rav Hershel Schachter’s Nefesh Harav, pp. 272-3) suggested that the difference between Shem and Yefet in this episode is the difference between ethics and etiquette. Shem, it seems, acted first, out of a sincere, ingrained sense of ethical obligation. Upon seeing his father dishonored and realizing that he could minimize the humiliation, Shem promptly rose to the occasion and covered Noach. Yefet, by contrast, merely cooperated with his brother out of etiquette, which means complying with the sensitivities of other people and respecting their values. Whereas Shem acted out of a desire to do what was right, Yefet acted out of a desire to do what was acceptable by his peers.
This episode thus reminds us to ensure that we determine our actions based purely on our principles of morals and ethics, and not simply to conform to society’s values. While etiquette certainly plays an important role in maintaining a certain standard of behavior, we must endeavor to act out of a sincere commitment to Torah laws and values, rather than to make a good impression.