Plagues of the Heart and Mind (Part 2)
By Sara Esther Crispe: January 10, 2014: Category Decoding the Tradition, Inspirations
Blood
When we make decisions with our heart, by definition they are not rational. They may be passionate, intense, desired and powerful, but more often than not, they are in complete disagreement or opposition to what our intellect would tell us to do. After all, the heart wants what the heart wants. So we all too often do what feels right when it is in fact far from what we know to be right.
As discussed in Part 1, we are first introduced to 7 of the plagues and then only in the following Torah portion are the final three explained. As 7 represents the emotions, and 3 the intellectual properties, the order of the plagues symbolizes that in Egypt, and with Pharaoh in particular, the heart ruled over the mind. When emotions are in control and not one’s intellect, this is in and of itself a plague.
An imbedded hint to this as well can be seen in the opening letters of the names of the Torah Portions. Va’era, which lists the first seven plagues, begins with a vav and aleph, which are the 6th and 1st letters equaling 7. Whereas the following Torah portion Bo is comprised of a beit and aleph which are the 2nd and 1st letters equaling 3. Both of these have the aleph, the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, as their second letter. This letter is the concept of oneness, unity, and the reminder of the all encompassing presence of our Creator. He is right with us during the first 7 plagues, and right there with the final 3.
While the plagues were a clear punishment to the Egyptians who enslaved the Jewish people, there is always a lesson and meaning to all we experience for us to grow from as well. It is our responsibility to look at what took place and understand how we can apply its inner meaning to our personal lives as an impetus for our own growth and development.
Plague 1: Blood
Our bodies, like the world, are comprised mainly of water. Without hydration, we can’t live. Water is calm, wet and pure. The ultimate of all drinks. To this day, with all of our nutrient enhanced options, nothing can replace or supersede the advantages of pure water.
Jewish philosophy compares water to life (mayim chayim) and on a spiritual level it relates to the absolute need for Torah learning. If we want to grow and develop, we must nourish and hydrate our souls as we do our bodies.
During this first plague, all water sources turned to blood. While blood, in many ways represents vitality and life when within the body, on the outside just the opposite is true. A healthy person does not bleed. Blood means that something is wrong, that someone is hurt. Often we don’t even recognize how serious an injury is until we see the blood. And the loss of too much blood can result in serious health issues, even death.
While our blood is necessary to live and considered a precious commodity, we cannot drink or eat it. (It is actually against Jewish law to consume human blood.) And so, when this plague descended on the Egyptians, it was the stark reminder that they had played with life and death and had taken what was meant to be internal, and made it external which was not sustainable.
Blood is also warm within the body representing love and goodness. But when it is on the outside it cools off and only symbolizes the pain and hurt that caused it to leave its home.
For us this is the stark reminder that we must never lose site of what belongs where. Blood, in and of itself, is not negative. Just the opposite, it is healthy and good and absolutely necessary…when in the right place. But when misplaced or misused, the blood then was deadly.
Like our thoughts, words and actions. There is a proper time and way for everything. We often think about doing something kind or generous, but if we don’t actually get around to actualizing that thought, it is really meaningless. Telling someone that you meant to visit or meant to call or meant to attend doesn’t take away from the fact that at the end of the day…you didn’t. If anything, sometimes offering help too late when it is no longer needed can even hurt the other more as it is a stark reminder that it wasn’t offered when it was needed.
We like to see things black and white. There is good and bad. Positive and negative. But things are never so simple. The blood was not bad, it was just misplaced. So too, a kind word too late or laughing at an inappropriate time does not make the kind word or the laughter negative…it just shows our insensitivity and lack of awareness in how we used them. This plague should remind us of the importance not only of what we do in our thought, speech and action, but often more importantly, when and how we use them so that the outcome is one of positivity.
Next up is Part Three dealing with Frogs.
http://www.interinclusion.org/inspirations/plagues-of-the-heart-and-mind-part-3/
http://www.interinclusion.org/inspirations/plagues-of-the-heart-and-mind-part-1/
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HI! Really liked your article. Just wanted to say that not only human blood is forbidden, but animal blood, as well, which is why we have salting as part of laws of kashrut.
Also, even internal blood can be ever more elevated when used to nurture, as in mother’s milk which comes from her blood. Yet that, too, may be consumed only in the context of nurturing an infant.
The lesson you brought forth in this article is a really important one, that we all need to learn.
So true! Thanks for adding in that additional insight!!