Rational Thinkers? Parshat Beshalach
During a tense moment in a Batman show, the villain is holding on for dear life while also continuing to grasp a heavy bag laden with treasure. If she lets go of the bag, she will be able to hold on until she can be saved. If she continues to hold on to the heavy bag, however, she will surely fall into the bottomless pit. Robin, Batman's sidekick, asks how she could possibly decide to hold on to the bag knowing what the consequences are, to which Batman replies that greed interferes with our most basic senses - even the sense of self-preservation.
We also find such behavior in our parsha - Parshat Beshalach. Right before the splitting of the Red Sea, we find that God hardens Pharaoh's heart.1 Rashi in his explanation of this verse explains that Pharaoh was undecided whether to continue the chase or not. How is this possible? My brother-in-law, Rabbi Chaim Flom z"l pointed out that Pharaoh had already seen God's might. He had seen 10 plagues in Egypt. How could he possibly think that he would have a chance this time? Why would he even consider that there was any option but to surrender to defeat? Whether out of ego or national pride he wavered. How could he even waver? He was unable to make that clear, rational decision. And when he could even consider chasing the Jews again, at that point God hardened his heart.
We like to think of ourselves as homo rationalis - rational man. We expect of ourselves to make rational decisions based on facts and projections of success. Yet we all make mistakes. We make decisions sometimes which not only impede our march towards a meaningful life but are actually to our detriment.
Why do we err? Or, maybe more importantly, how do we prevent ourselves from making 'wrong' decisions? Lots of questions here.
If it were a decision as to whether to take cyanide or not, then the decision is easier and I can easily say that most people reading this post have decided not to take it. The proof is that you are here reading these lines. That decision was pretty easy for most of us.
Most decisions however are not quite so clear cut. Have you ever tried to tell a diabetic that chocolate can be dangerous for them? Some diabetics will say - ok I will not eat it. Others will say - give me that chocolate! It may be a quality of life decision for them or some other consideration. It may be a consideration on a noetic dimension as well.
Let us be open to our own decision-making processes without judging them. Being clued in to our own ultimate meaning and being aware of the meaning of the moment are two ways to handle such situations. How do we make decisions? Which decisions have been helpful or harmful to us? When do we forego long-term benefits for the sake of short-term benefits? What can we learn from our past decisions to help us with future ones? What do we really want???
By being more aware of our own decision-making process, we will be able to make decisions that will be more responsible and will propel us forward towards a life full of meaning and fulfillment.
Notes
- Shemot 14:8
Have A Great Shabbat!
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