Introverted or Highly Sensitive?
This meditation raises another interesting question: Is it that Susan’s grandfather was introverted or sensitive to, and humbled by, the light of Torah which he merited to reveal to thousands throughout his lifetime? To be sure, Elaine Aron, author of “The Highly Sensitive Person,” responded to Susan’s book by stating that Cain was in fact describing highly sensitive people and not introverts.
Of the eight synonyms for “beauty” in Hebrew, טוֹב–”good”–refers to the most inner, introverted, and “modest” state of beauty. Even while revealing good it is praiseworthy to do so modestly. Thus when a congregant of Susan’s grandfather would call to say hello, he would end the conversation abruptly. Although Susan explained that it was due to the fear that he was taking up too much of their time, as we now explained, perhaps he didn’t want to overwhelm them by speaking too long. Was it that he was introverted or just sensitive to the gifts that God gave him to spread the light of Torah?
In addition to giving birth to physical children, may this year be a year of giving birth to new campaigns and initiatives, and meeting a public that is receptive to receiving our once hidden light.
And even if we speak long on the phone or in person, may it be that we not overwhelm.