The Torah points out that Noach was a tzaddik, and also that Noach walked with Hashem. Isn’t that redundant; don’t we know that a tzaddik goes with Hashem?
Our guest suggested that a Tzaddik may keep the law, he follows the Shulchan Aruch, but not is not necessarily a pious man. Noach was a tzaddik plus he walked with Hashem too.
Someone else at the table suggested that there are different types of tzaddikim; some specialize in piety towards Hashem, others focus on their fellowman, and yet others focus on improving their charachter. The Torah is charachterizing Noach here – he was of the “going with Hashem” type, pious towards Hashem.
I suggested that the Torah was hinting to the power that enabled Noach to withstand the tests of his era and preserve his virtue. That power was the inclusion of Hashem in every facet of his life, sharing life with Hashem, so as to speak. Noach walking with Hashem, living with Hashem, caused “Noach was a tzaddik”.
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