Unity and Separation
The ultimate goal is not unity but unity within diversity. ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM
Love and Not Mixing: Strange Combination
This week’s Torah portion of Kedoshim contains one of the most – if not the most – fundamental precept of Judaism: “You shall love your fellow as yourself.” Hillel told the prospective convert that “this is the entire Torah; the rest is commentary.” Rabbi Akiva termed this Mitzvah “a great principle of Torah.”
It is curious to see what commandment follows this so basic one. One would expect to find a commandment which would very clearly express some other lofty ideal. In fact, the very next verse exhorts us to not cross breed two distinct species of animals; not to sow two distinct species of plants and not to wear a garment which is made of both wool and linen.
ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM
What possible connection can there be between the Mitzvah of Ahavas Yisrael, loving one’s fellow, and the ones that tell us not to mix the different species of animals, plants and fabrics?
Breaking Down Barriers and Erecting Others
The answer lies in a better understanding of one aspect of human weakness. When we are given a directive by the Torah, we are expected to fulfill it with enthusiasm and absolute dedication. It is not enough just to do it – although that is the most important part of a mitzvah – we must also see to it that our mindset is in complete harmony with the underlying thrust of the Mitzvah. In our situation, the Mitzvah of loving one another demands of us to remove all barriers that exist between two very different people.
And this is where there can be a pitfall.
When the Torah encourages us to break down barriers, we might follow this attitude in all areas of life. As a result there would be people who, in the name of love and unity, will eliminate necessary walls of separation without which the structure of Judaism cannot stand. Without the notion of separation, for example, there can be no difference ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM between the Sabbath and the week days. Without one’s acceptance of the existence of legitimate differences, there can be no standards and ideals to strive for. If, after all everything is equal, whatever I do is good enough, why strive for something higher?
To avoid the danger of removing all barriers and divisions due to our commitment to the ideal of love and unity, the Torah follows the Mitzvah of loving your fellow as yourself with several Mitzvos, all of which relate to the need for a measure of separation. This ensures the integrity of all of G-d’s creatures, commandments and standards.
When we reflect more deeply on the need for separation we will see that not only doesn’t it conflict with unity it guarantees true unity.
If everything was uniform it would not only be bland and boring it would not prove true unity because it is not tested unity. Tested unity is when people of different personalities are able to unite and discover that there is an inherent unity that unites them despite of their differences.. Moreover, their differences create a beautiful harmonious blend that makes their unity so much more attractive and authentic ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM A Balancing Act To be sure, to achieve both - unity and separation is a balancing act which is by no means easy to perform. However, our efforts to do both - love uncompromisingly and never sacrifice principle in the process - will bear fruit. Our efforts now will usher in the Messianic Age, when we will experience the most profound peace and unity and an appreciation for the multifarious levels of holinessunity and separation at their best. (See following essay for further discussion of the synthesis of unity and separation.)
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From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Acharei-Kedoshim by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.
