Parshas Va’eira: Too Busy to Think

Moshe related Hashem’s message to Bnei Yisrael, but they didn’t listen to Moshe, because of their shortness of spirit and hard work. (Shemos 6:9)

We’d expect that the harder a nation’s working and suffering, the more anxious they’d be to be redeemed. Why didn’t the Jews listen to Moshe? (Rabbi Dov Shapiro)

Headspace. My brain’s hard drive is full. These past few months have been a whirlwind. One of my daughters gave birth and moved in with us for a while. Then we made a bar mitzvah. Baruch Hashem for simchahs! Plus, there were the regular challenges of life, which may not be as fun as simchahs, but are integral to our growth.

I’m also going to America soon to visit my mother, and by the time I get back it’ll be close to Purim and Pesach. (Perhaps I shouldn’t say those “P” words?)

The Seforno comments that the Jews were unable to focus on what Moshe was saying because they were too busy working hard.

The Mesillas Yesharim explains that a person becomes so busy with what he’s doing, he loses the ability to focus and process new information even if it’s critical and relevant.

Pharaoh understood human psychology. The core of his strategy in enslaving the Jews was to keep them so busy they’d have no time to contemplate how to rebel against him. His plan was working well.

So I’ve been having a hard time with headspace, grappling with simple things that were taxing my already overworked brain.

One day I sat down with my landline to call one of my daughters, and suddenly I couldn’t remember her number. It’s on speed dial on my cell phone, but this phone didn’t have it. How could I not remember a number I dial numerous times a week?