Said to Myself

In VaEra, this week’s Torah portion, we read about the plague of hail.  Moshe warns them in advance of the hail. There we read:

This time tomorrow I will rain down a very heavy hail, such as has not been in Egypt from the day it was founded until now. Therefore, order your livestock and everything you have in the open brought under shelter; every man and beast that is found outside, not having been brought indoors, shall perish when the hail comes down upon them!’” Those among Pharaoh’s courtiers who feared the Lord’s word brought their slaves and livestock indoors to safety; but those who paid no regard to the word of the Lord left their slaves and livestock in the open. ( Exodus 9:18-21)

They were warned that the hail was coming and that they needed to move inside to evade the plague. But those ” who paid no regard” would get hurt by the hail. My dear friend and teacher Shalom Orzach pointed out that the language here is critical. “Who paid no regard”-לֹא־שָׂ֛ם לִבּ֖וֹ- lo sam libo-literally means “who do not place their heart”. In many ways we learn that Pharaoh’s heart is hardened. Here we see that Moshe is appealing to their hearts. While it still might be hard, Moshe is asking for them to openhearted. What would it take to be vulnerable and put their hearts out there?

Paying attention assumes that there is a bank of attention, we pay out that commodity, and it is finite. Being vulnerable and open assumes that it is infinite. We all have room to grow in our vulnerability. As  Brené Brown, my vulnerability Rebbe, teaches:

Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path. (Daring Greatly)

We need to pay attention to when we are called to be vulnerable and openhearted. From this place we can free ourselves and others.