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January 12, 2024, (30 Tevet 5784) Parasha Vaeira- The Hardening of Hearts
Dear Friends, I hope this correspondence finds you doing well and in good health. Please join us this Saturday morning at 10:00 am for the first installment of our new programming initiative entitled Young Voices: Today’s Topics. The series will feature a variety of guests who each bring a distinctively Jewish perspective into their unique activities. Together, we take an inspiring look at how the next generation is using their Jewish sensibilities to make the world a better place. This Shabbat, we will gather in the sanctuary for Davening (praying) and have the opportunity to meet Eliana Fisher, a graduating CUNY lawyer, who has worked for years while advocating for those less fortunate or disenfranchised in the community. Her work for Avodah has been exemplary and personifies the ethical message of the Book of Shemot: the importance of treating all with equality. At the conclusion of services, please join us for both a “meet and greet” and a festive Shabbat Kiddush. In an attempt to “Let my people go,” the early chapters of the Book of Shemot describe the harsh delivery of the ten plagues upon Egypt by Hashem. Time and again, we hear of the hardening of Pharoah’s heart. This week, the Torah uses three diverse descriptions of Pharoah’s internal process: “Pharaoh’s heart was hardened (literally - strengthened – וַיֶּחֱזַק), and he did not listen to them.” (Exodus 7:13; Exodus 7:22; Exodus 8:16) “Pharaoh’s heart was heavy in his refusal to release the people.” (Exodus 7:10) “He hardened his heart (literally - made his heart heavy – וְהַכְבֵּד) and did not listen to them.” (Exodus 8:11) Pharaoh, however, is not the only one who suffers from a hard heart. Later in the text, Pharaoh’s advisors also suffer from the same hardness of heart (Exodus 9:24). (It makes me wonder if perhaps the ancient Egyptian cardiologists concluded that suffering from a “hard heart” was a contagious disease.) Later in the Torah, we learn that not only Egyptians run the risk of contracting the malady of these cardiac compromises, but Israelites do as well. In Deuteronomy, Moses warns, “If there is a needy person among you, one of your kinsmen in any of your settlements in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not harden your heart and shut your hand against your needy kinsman.” (Deuteronomy 15:7) The message of the Torah is consistent. While situations may cause us to want to seal our heart (Rashi on Dev 15:8), such a response may make it, God forbid, too hard or too late, at another point in our lives, to open our heart, to be sympathetic, and to be compassionate. An alternate and better representation of Hashem’s will for the Jewish people is the mandate to strive to open one’s heart – especially in times of great trouble – which may require untold strength and unique courage. We are taught in the wisdom literature of the Book of Mishle, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it, flows the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) The Book of Tehillim shares, “You have created in me a pure heart O God, and allowed me to renew the right spirit within me.” (Psalms 51:12) Alden Solovoy, an American Israeli liturgist, poet, author, and educator, composed the following prescription for maintaining the spiritual health of our hearts each day: FOR AN OPEN HEART God, give me an open heart, A generous heart, A humble heart. Give me a heart so free, So fearless, That I offer love without requirement, To love as You love, Holding my beloved precious, Loving her/him in this moment exactly as she/he is, Praying that she/he follows his/her true path Regardless of where it takes her/him. Give me a heart gentle and willing to love her/him As she/he would be loved, with honor and respect, Kindness and humor, Joy and friendship. Give me a love so pure and vast, So simple and strong, That it cherishes the love and the loving Asking nothing in return. Friends, as we enter Shabbat, may we strive to ponder the potentialities of a world saturated by humanity’s open heart, directed to all, and intended to bring joy, blessing, love, and eternal peace. From the bottom of my heart, Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Eric L. Wasser, EdD, Hon.DM
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