Jewish Life #25. Be Sensitive!

 In parashah Vayera we learn how to be sensitive. Sensitivity is the susceptibility of something or someone to perceive something. In Judaism, we learn through Hashem's instructions to focus on the good and avoid the evil. This implies a well-tuned sense to distinguish the good from the wrong.
 
In this parashah we learn about the evil acts of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah: ‘their sin is very heavy (18:20). Sodom is the antithesis of Abraham and his chesed; loving kindness and hospitality. This is why Hashem brings Sodom and the other cities of evil to an end. If you want to give space to kindness, you have to get rid of all wrongdoings. 
 
Two situations in parashah Vayera points us of the importance of sensitivity. The first episode is about the wife of Lot in 19:26. We read: ‘His [Lot’s] wife looked behind him and became a pillar of salt’. Despite the angels warning not to look behind (19:17), she did. She had been rescued due to her relationship with Lot, but she may have been a native of Sodom, and apparently still felt connected to the city and its lifestyle. She became a pillar of salt, literally or metaphorically that she froze in place and died. Lot’s wife wasn’t sensitive enough to the good, but attached to evil.
 
The second episode is about the banishment of Hagar. Sarah is the driving force behind the exile of Ishmael and his mother Hagar in response to the boy’s problematic conduct, which she fears will adversely affect Isaac. Sarah was sensitive in a positive way. She prevented Ishmael's negative influence on Isaac and in this way guarded the proper development of Isaac, Abraham’s heir and successor. 
In our morning blessings during Shacharit we pray: 'distance us from an evil person and an evil companion; attach us to the Good Inclination and to good deeds.' This prayer is in line with Sarah's attitude towards Ishmael and Hagar. 
In Mishna 7 of Pirkei Avot, the Ethics of Our Fathers, we learn: 'Distance from an evil neighbor, do not associate with the wicked.' In this Mishna we learn to refrain from residing near a wicked person, or minimize neighborly relations with a person of that kind, in order to avoid conflict with him or avoid his negative influence, even when this person is successful and it appears that associating with him could bring one benefit and facilitate success. An 'evil neighbor' can be understood as one who treats people badly or who typically instigates quarrels and disputes. This is the reason, as Sarah did, to keep one's distance from him. Alternatively, the reference is to a person who is a good neighbor but is a wicked man whose actions are evil. One must distance himself from him, so as not to learn from his evil behavior. In sum; one must refrain from any association with the wicked, as there are different types of interpersonal relationships, and one must distance himself from wickedness [or unhealthy behavior] in all of them.
This Mishna is consistent with modern psychological theory regarding imitation. People tend to imitate the behavior of others in their immediate environment. An unhealthy environment generates unhealthy, 'bad behavior'. A healthy environment with people with a positive attitude towards life and others generates health. Influence by those from the latter group is what brings us advantage. This imitation is valid even at the DNA-physical level. For example, we know from science that an environment of obese people causes obesity in children.
​In II Chronicles 20:37 we read: 'Because you allied yourself with Ahazyahu, Hashem has breached [destroyed]your works.'

If we want to do good we must be able to distinguish between what is good and what is different, and thus avoid an unhealthy environment and the bad habits of others. So, we have to learn to focus our senses on the right thing. That is what sensitivity as a character trait is all about. 

Additionally, my good friend Dr. Levi reminds me of the following core principle in Judaism: with the proper adjustment of our senses, we are able to recognize and combat evil in the world. That is what the Jewish way of life is ultimately about: healing a broken world and fighting evil.
 
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