We are living through bitter divisions. The differences between us are real, and instead of trying to understand one another, we often make those differences even greater. Political disagreements become personal. People are judged by the camp they belong to. We hear less and accuse more.

But the Torah asks me not what the other side should do, but what I should do.

That is a powerful message to hear at this time of year.

Parshat Nitzavim begins: ״אתם נצבים היום כולכם לפני ה’ אלקיכם״ “You are standing today, all of you, before Hashem your God.”

Why does the Torah emphasize כולכם — all of you?

The answer becomes especially meaningful when we look at the next words.

The Torah immediately lists the different people who were standing there: ״ראשיכם שבטיכם זקניכם ושוטריכם… כל איש ישראל… מחוטב עציך עד שואב מימיך״

The heads of the tribes, the elders, the officers, every Jew, from the woodcutter to the water drawer.

They were not all the same. They did not have the same position or the same responsibilities. Yet they were all standing together before Hashem.

That is the Torah’s idea of achdus.

We do not have to be the same to be one.

This is especially important for us........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)