Can't you get along with me?

 

Unity. Is it just a catchphrase nowadays?  The very same people stressing the need for unity seem to do everything they can to undo it. We live in a polarized world where everything and everyone is categorized by politics, race, gender and religious factions, just to name a few. It’s incredible how many ways we allow ourselves to be divided.

 

I have had many discussions with people about the need to step back from a dispute in order to create unity. Often the person will wholeheartedly agree and state that indeed, the other party should stop whatever it is they are doing that is causing disharmony.

But why does it have to be that way? The Torah teaches us that the greatest vehicle for blessing is unity and peace. This is especially important as we approach Rosh Hashanah, the Day of Judgment.

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Our tradition teaches, and the Rosh Hashanah liturgy emphasizes, that on this day the entire world, and every individual, is judged. None of us can really say we have done everything we need to do to deserve Hashem showering us with blessings.

But Hashem is kind and is open to giving us great gifts even if our actions don’t merit, because Hashem loves each of us and wants to see us successful and happy. Unity is the vehicle for receiving Hashem's bountiful, unearned blessings.

This week’s Torah reading begins with the key to achieving this harmony. “You are standing here ‘this day (hayom),’ all of you, before Hashem your G-d,” says Moshe. He then enumerates ten levels in the hierarchy of the community, beginning with the leaders and ending with the simple laborers who were assigned the tasks of wood chopping and water carrying. 

Note how he starts: “All of you,” implying all of you together. And the word for “standing” is “Nitzavim” which actually means “standing upright and strong.”  

The basic meaning of the verse is that the Jews all gathered together on the day Moshe passed away to accept the covenant of the Torah. But our Sages taught that the deeper and eternal meaning of the word “hayom” - this day - is Rosh Hashanah.

On this day, the Torah is saying, we stand upright, strong and meritorious in judgment, because we are all together as one - All of us - from the great leaders to the ones seen as lowly servants.

How do we reach this togetherness?  It starts with an attitude. 

Which is more important, the head or the feet?  Well, of course the head is greater because it is the nerve center of the entire body and controls everything including the feet. The feet, on the other hand, are more important for mobility, since most people can’t walk with their heads.

When we recognize that each and every one of us has a contribution to make; that Hashem created each of us with unique talents; that the leaders cannot exist without the “simple” people because the world is only complete with the entirety of humanity, this brings us the humility to recognize the value of every single person.

So unity begins with me. Rather than expecting others to create unity, I need to look at myself and see how I can recognize and respect the value of every person. It is this attitude that will make the difference and help soften the division and polarization of society.

As I said, Hashem is ready to give us an abundance of blessings, regardless of whether we have earned it. This is what we refer to as Tzedakah. It is therefore customary during these days leading up to Rosh Hashanah, in addition to doing all we can to spread love and unity, to give an abundance of Tzedakah.

May Hashem bless you with a year filled with abundant blessings, both materially and spiritually. May we succeed in bringing light and unity to our own world, and by extension to the rest of the world, and may we merit the time of ultimate peace and harmony with the coming of Moshiach and the ushering in of the era of Divine unity.