Pestilence: The Quiet Killer

Unquestionably when a stampede of wild animals is coming your way, you are well aware of the dangers involved. But as we often find in life, sometimes what is most destructive and devastating can go almost unnoticed until it is too late. This is the Plague of Pestilence.

Contagious. Epidemic. Virulent. Devastating. All words used to describe something that one cannot touch, see or hear, but most definitely will feel. It is the quiet killer.

After the previous plague of the beasts, Pharaoh was willing to let the Jews go. But then his heart was hardened once again and he refused. He was met with a plague that was very opposite in nature to the beasts but even more devastating in its outcome. Interestingly, pestilence can be started by a parasite which relates it to the 3^rd plague of lice, which while uncomfortable and annoying, didn’t begin to wreak the havoc of this fifth plague which decimated the Egyptian livestock.

It is easy in life to mistakenly believe that if something is not causing a great ruckus then everything is fine. If we are not bleeding we are not hurt. If someone isn’t yelling it must mean she isn’t really upset. If I haven’t been fired my boss must be happy with my work. And while the big explosions clearly indicate that there is a problem that must be dealt with, there can be devastating effects that happen in much more quiet ways.

A parent would never mistakenly trust that a quiet toddler is sitting still but rather that lack of noise is often indicative of trouble. When it comes to drowning, while often it is thought that the person would be screaming and wailing, experts keep reiterating that the one most in trouble is the one who isn’t reacting at all, just bobbing even with head and mouth above the water.

And so too, when we look at situations that are really beyond repair, they are often the ones that are not making noise. They are no longer fighting, no longer trying…just quietly accepting the fate that things are ending or already over. The most dangerous person is the one who is ensuring no one will notice the desperation. One who still believes there is hope will do something to get attention, what we refer to as a cry for help. The one who is quiet doesn’t want anyone to hear the crying.

The Hebrew word for the Plague of Pestilence is “Dever” which shares the same root and is connected to the word “dibur” which means “speech.” Just as pestilence permeates the atmosphere with its poison, so too does negative speech spread its way around affecting all who hear it. It is interesting to note that Kabbalistic philosophy teaches that there are five levels of speech and pestilence is the fifth plague.

When used properly, speech is the defining characteristic of a human being. It is what allows us to share our innermost thoughts and feelings with another, which is the way we can truly relate and connect.

But words can also destroy. A rumor can be started quietly, subtly, but it seeps through our social fabric and effects all who hear it while hurting its victim. We see time and time again that more than the physical bullying or abuse that leaves its mark, the internal and emotional bruises from emotional or verbal abuse can last longer than the ones on the skin.

Pharaoh’s name in Hebrew contains the letters that when switched around spell “peh ra” meaning “an evil mouth.” Every time he spoke against the Jews he spewed his hate which then seeped to all those around him only worsening the conditions of the slavery the Jewish people were forced to endure. And so part of his punishment was the quiet killer that came to destroy the life around him.

For us the lesson is to pay attention and never overlook the dangers that can be hidden in the seemingly quiet. And furthermore, to always be aware of the power of our words and the permanence they will leave on others, both for the good and the bad. When we speak we co-create reality and we therefore participate in choosing, every time we open our mouths, what that reality will be and whether it will lead to growth or pain.

http://www.interinclusion.org/inspirations/plagues-of-the-heart-and-mind-part-7/

http://www.interinclusion.org/inspirations/plagues-of-the-heart-and-mind-part-5/

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