Our Gemara on Amud Beis introduces an intriguing idiom used to describe a precocious young child: "Flagos Reuven" (פלגות ראובן).

This idiom finds its origin in a verse from the song of Devorah (Judges 5:15-16):

"And the princes of Issachar were with Devorah,

As Barak, so was Issachar—

They rushed at his heels into the valley;

Among the flagos of Reuven

Were great decisions of heart.

"Why did you stay among the sheepfolds,

To hear the piping for the flocks?

Among the flagos of Reuven

Were great searchings of heart!"

While the word "flagos" has multiple translations, some commentaries, supported by our Gemara, suggest that it refers to a tradition about Reuven's precociousness as a young child. Over time, this term evolved into an idiom used to describe a precocious child or a bright budding scholar, depending on the context.

However, certain commentaries and Midrash interpret this reference as a criticism of the tribe of Reuven. Devorah wonders how they could have remained indifferent and not joined their brothers in the battle against Sisera. She questions how such wise and insightful individuals could be blind to the urgency of the situation.

Rav Henoch Leibowitz ZT'L (חידושי הלב שמות כ״א:ח) delves into this idea and follows an interpretation (see Ralbag) that the crying out of the flocks was not a literal reference to Reuven tending to their own flocks and staying on their side. Instead, it symbolizes turning a blind eye to the cries of torment and suffering from the "flock" of the Jewish people who were suffering on the battlefield across the Jordan. According to Rav Henoch, their ability to hear these cries compounded their sin. He emphasizes the difference between intellectually knowing about something and actively hearing or seeing it. The power of empathy is heightened when one sees and hears the actual suffering of others.

Rav Henoch's insight offers a valuable lesson in empathy and concern for others. Merely knowing about someone's predicament should not lead us to help from a distance. Instead, we should take the time to visit and listen to the person, as this fosters a deeper level of empathy and compassion.

Furthermore, Rav Henoch's interpretation aligns with the biblical language, where God is described as "going down to see" the people of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:5) and the people of Sodom (Genesis 18:21). Additionally, this idea finds support in neuroscience through the discovery of "mirror neurons." These neurons are activated in the observer's brain when watching someone else engage in an activity, leading to a degree of empathizing with the observed experience. This neurological phenomenon highlights our inherent inclination to empathize with others when we witness their experiences.

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_neuron)

Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation

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