Anyone who's been to Poland may remember the Rama shul in Krakow. On the wall in the shul, are 3 pictures: The Kotel, Kever Rachel, and Teivat Noach (Noah's Ark). The question was posed regarding the Teiva why it was/is a symbol that is just as important as the other two pictures.
The Gemara in Brachot (61B) tells the story of Rabbi Akiva and his refusal to stop teaching Torah after the decree to kill any Jew caught teaching Torah. His student Pappus Ben Yehuda noticed that Rabbi Akiva, even after this decree continued to spread the light of Torah with the same strength and fearlessness as before, and he worried for his life. "Rebbe how can you continue teaching Torah like this youre going to get yourself killed?!" Pappus rebuked. Rebbe Akiva told him a mashal: There was a fox walking by the river, and the fox noticed some fish swimming really quickly seemingly away from someone. The fox called out at the fish what are you running from? Fish said we dont want to be caught by the net so were running away! The fox told the fish that they are silly and they should come onto land where they can be safe. The fish exclaimed back that the fox is mistaken and it is better they be caught in the water then die immediately out of the water.
Rebbe Akiva said to his student, do you understand what it means to be outside of the water (ie the Torah)? I will surely die without Torah, so I need to teach no matter what the consequence!
A Rabbi once gave a shiur in a small room, and the people packed in all squishy to catch every piece of Torah. The rabbi said, "This has happened before. In the Teivah it was probably quite uncomfortable, but did you hear of any complaints? Because when there is a Mabul (flood) outside, we don't mind being squished in the Teiva."
It was explained that the Teiva represents the safety and comfort a person can receive by learning and listening to Torah. The Mabul (ie the "outside world") is a scary place and the Teiva symbolizes the idea that sometimes we need to find comfort in the religious aspects of our lives. If we can't shut out the world, we should at least have a safe haven. Good Shabbos!