08-13-2025, 12:22 PM
Quote:I wanted to ask about the term "lightheadedness" in The Divine Code. It is used in Part I, topic 8:3; Part VI, topics 6:1,7,11; and Part VIII, topic 2:5 (20'25 edition). What is a deeper definition of this behaviour, and can you provide a few examples?
In that topic in Part I, it's described as being a buffoon and a foolish person, and the opposite of acting with seriousness.
"Lightheadedness" in this context is one way to translate the original Hebrew expression, "kalos rosh". The words in Hebrew literally translate as "lightness of head". It can also be translated as "frivolity", or having a frivolous mindset.
The opposite term in Hebrew is "koved rosh", which literally translates as "heaviness of head". This expresses a mindset of seriousness, humility, and fear of G-d.
For example, the mishnah 5:1 in Tractate Berachos states: "One should not stand to pray [the Amidah prayer] except with koved rosh..."
In chapter 3 of Tractate Avot (Ethics of the Fathers), it teaches, "Rabbi Akiva said: [Unrestrained] laughter and kalos rosh accustom a man to lewdness."