The verse in Yeshayahu 54:9. states "For this is to Me as the waters of Noah, as I swore that the waters of Noah shall never again pass over the earth, so have I sworn neither to be wroth with you nor to rebuke you.

Our Rabbis tell us that the flood which destroyed humanity was called by the name of Noah because he did not pray for his generation. We know that Noah dedicated his life to preserve the world by building the ark and taking care of the animals. Why didn't Noah pray?

Noah knew that his prayers would not help so he did not pray.

So why was Noah held responsible for not praying? Avraham also stopped praying when he was informed that their wasn't even ten righteous people in Sodom yet he was not held responsible? Why pray a futile prayer?

Job was also punished for not speaking up in a hopeless situation. Gemara Sotah 11a states:

R. Hiyya b. Abba said in the name of R. Simai: There were three in that plan (to kill Israel's firstborn), Balaam, Job and Jethro. Balaam who devised it was slain, Job who silently acquiesced was afflicted with sufferings, Jethro, who fled, merited that his descendants should sit in the Chamber of Hewn Stone (the Sanhedrin).

Jethro protested but then he needed to flee for his life. So why was Job punished for not making such pointless objection?

When we are in pain we cry out! A suffering person moans regardless of the fact that no complaining will avail. The fact that Job kept silent was an indication that he did not feel the suffering of the Jewish people.

If Noah truly cared about the destruction of the world, he would have prayed regardless of the outcome. Avraham, on the other hand prayed for Sodom until he realized his prayers would not be answered.

Have a great Shabbos!

Based on the teachings of Rav Chaim Shmulevitz zal

Dear Rabbi Mitterhoff:

Is there any commentary which praises or otherwise speaks to Moshe Rabbeinu ceasing his prayers to enter Eretz Yisrael when Hashem specifically commanded him to not ask again?

I think Rashi explains to us that one more prayer would have required reversing the negative decree.

And if I may please ask, on what do you base your view that Avraham Avinu was told that there were not even 10 in the city worth saving?

I thought I had read that he just didn't want to ask about if there were less than 10.