We often talk about the heart as the seat of our emotions, but what does that really mean?
The ancient rabbis certainly pondered this. In Kohelet Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Ecclesiastes, we find a fascinating exploration of the heart’s many roles. It begins with the verse from Ecclesiastes 1:16: “I have spoken with my heart, saying: Behold, I have amassed and added wisdom, beyond all who were before me over Jerusalem; my heart has seen much wisdom and knowledge.”
The rabbis then embark on a whirlwind tour of the heart’s capabilities, drawing on verses from across the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible). It's kind of mind-blowing.
According to this passage, the heart isn’t just a muscle or a metaphor; it's a dynamic, multifaceted organ with an astonishing range of functions. The Midrash, a method of interpreting biblical stories, finds proof-texts showing that the heart sees. As it is stated, “My heart has seen much.” (Ecclesiastes 1:16). The heart also hears, as we see in the plea, “Give your servant an understanding [shome’a, literally, hearing] heart” (I Kings 3:9). And of course, the heart speaks, as evidenced by the verse that started this whole exploration: “I have spoken with my heart.”
But it doesn't stop there. The heart goes, as in, “Didn’t my heart go?” (II Kings 5:26). The heart falls, as in, “Let no man’s heart fall” (I Samuel 17:32). It stands firm: “Will your heart endure [haya’amod, literally, stand]?” (Ezekiel 22:14). It rejoices: “Therefore, my heart rejoices” (Psalms 16:9). The heart cries out, grieves, hardens, softens… the list goes on and on.
It’s a dizzying array of emotions and actions. According to Kohelet Rabbah, the heart can be consoled, as Isaiah (40:2) implores us to "Speak to the heart of Jerusalem," after God says to, "Console, console My people, says your God.” It can also be saddened, as we see when Genesis (6:6) tells us that God "was saddened in His heart" by humanity's wickedness.
The heart isn't just a passive recipient of emotions; it's an active participant in our lives. It contemplates, calculates [meḥashev], desires, and even fabricates! As we find in Proverbs (19:21), "Many are the thoughts [maḥshavot] in the heart of man." The heart can be stolen (Genesis 31:20, referring to Jacob stealing Laban's heart), humbled (Leviticus 26:41), and enticed (Genesis 34:3).
The heart's influence extends to our spiritual lives as well. It can love God (Deuteronomy 6:5), hate a brother (Leviticus 19:17), and even be searched by God (Jeremiah 17:10). We’re told to rend our hearts, not just our garments (Joel 2:13), emphasizing the importance of inner repentance. The heart can be like fire (Jeremiah 20:9) or stone (Ezekiel 36:26), repenting (II Kings 23:25) or being incensed (Deuteronomy 19:6).
The rabbis weren't just making a list; they were pointing to something profound. Our inner life, the core of our being, is a complex and dynamic landscape. The heart isn’t just about love and happiness; it’s about the full spectrum of human experience. It's where we grapple with our fears, our desires, our hopes, and our failings.
The passage concludes by highlighting how the heart absorbs both matters of the world and God’s teachings. It absorbs fear (Jeremiah 32:40), but also thanks God (Psalms 111:1). It can covet (Proverbs 6:25) or be toughened (Proverbs 28:14). It deceives (Proverbs 12:20) and devises (Proverbs 6:14), but also absorbs mitzvot – commandments (Proverbs 10:8).
Ultimately, this exploration of the heart in Kohelet Rabbah invites us to pay attention to our inner lives. It reminds us that our hearts are not static entities, but rather ever-changing landscapes that shape and are shaped by our experiences. It's a call to introspection, to understanding the intricate workings of our own hearts, and to striving to cultivate hearts that are open, compassionate, and attuned to the divine. So, what is your heart saying to you today?