25 THE TEARS OF GOD IN THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH I. Weeping in the Old Testament Weeping may be understood in the context of attachment theory, which describes how infants and their caregivers form reciprocal bonds 3. This context clarifies that weeping is a social rather than individual behavior; tears are meant to be seen by others. The at- tachment behavioral system has been observed in many animal species, but weeping is unique to humans. Although other animals shed tears due to irritation of the eye, only humans cry for emo- tional reasons. Throughout the lifespan, human weeping commu- nicates serious distress and corresponding need for care-giving and relationship. The desired response to tears is empathy and support (Exod 2,6; 2 Kgs 20,5; 22,19; Ps 6,9). Attachment theory has been expanded from the parent-child bond to encompass romantic rela- tionships and relationship to the divine 4. Prayers frequently mani- fest the dynamics of attachment relationships. For example, prayers often express a desire for proximity to the parent-like deity (Ps 42,1-2), who provides a sense of security (Ps 23,4) through superior power and wisdom (Ps 23,3; 93,1). In distress, the deity offers help (Ps 69,1), and divine absence provokes anxiety (Ps 22,1). Weeping enters into this relationship when people at prayer hope that tears may motivate divine aid (Ps 6,9.9; 39,13; 102,10). Attachment the- ory can illuminate human religious behavior, but Jeremiah draws on the parent-child bond to illuminate divine behavior and emotion. YHWH faces the prospect of losing “my firstborn son” (Jer 31,9; cf. Exod 4,22) and witnessing the agony of the people suffering the harsh realities of military defeat and national calamity (see Lamen- tations). However, YHWH does not only suffer the pain of Israel and the loss of relationship, but is also the agent of the destruction of On attachment theory in general, see J. BOWLBY, Attachment and Loss. 3 3 vols. (New York 1969-1973). For recent developments, see Attachment and Bonding. A New Synthesis (eds. C.S. CARTER et al.) (Cambridge, MA 2005); J. CASSIDY – P.R. SHAVER (eds.), Handbook of Attachment. Theory, Research, and Clinical Applications (New York 22008). On weeping and attachment theory, see J.K. NELSON, Seeing through Tears. Crying and Attachment (New York 2005); K. GROSSMANN, “Weinen, ein Bindungsverhalten”, Psychotherapeut 54 (2009) 77-89. L.A. KIRKPATRICK, Attachment, Evolution, and the Psychology of Reli- 4 gion (New York 2005); P. GRANQVIST, “Religion as Attachment: The Godin Award Lecture”, Archive for the Psychology of Religion 32 (2010) 49-59. © Gregorian Biblical Press 2012 - Tutti i diritti riservati