United Nation

The Rebbe emphasized that our focus on unity should shift from repairing the past disunity to being prepared for the ultimate unity of the future. BAMIDBAR BAMIDBAR

Indirect Head Count

This week, we begin the Book of Numbers. It is so called because it begins with G-d’s command to Moses to count the Jewish people. Now, despite the fact that there was an express commandment to count the Jewish people, G-d told them not to make a direct head count. In an earlier Torah portion, the Jews were told to contribute a Half-Shekel, and that they would count the Half-Shekels to determine the number of Jews.

Our sages devoted much attention to this rather unusual phenomenon. On the one hand, there was a need to count the Jews, and on the other hand, they were not permitted to count them directly. If G-d wanted them counted, why couldn’t Moses count them directly?

BAMIDBAR

What is Jewish Unity Based on?

To understand the dynamics of counting, Chassidic thought focuses on the ideal of Jewish unity. Our sages have declared that all diverse segments of the Jewish nation are inherently one unified and inseparable entity.

But this assertion needs to be clarified. One cannot claim that this unity is based on political uniformity, cultural harmony; religious similarity or any other intellectual, emotional or ideological factor. Indeed, it seems that one can find more divisive influences within the Jewish community than unifying ones.

For example:

Geographically:

For the bulk of our history, Jews did not live in the same country, or speak the same language.

Linguistically:

From before the destruction of the first Temple, Jews have been speaking different languages. Hebrew, or the Holy tongue, has BAMIDBAR not been the most common spoken language of the Jews. Jews spoke Aramaic, Arabic, German and a host of other languages for most of their history reserving Hebrew for the reading of the Torah and prayers.

Culturally:

Jews are as culturally distinct from one another as there are cultures. Although recent migrations of Jews to Israel may have reduced those differences somewhat, it is undeniable that Ashkenazic Jews, Sephardic Jews, Yemenite Jews etc. have vastly different cultural practices.

Ideologically:

Concerning our views and opinions, the Talmud states, “just as there are no two people who look alike, there are no two people who think alike.” Jewish fragmentation is so endemic to Jewish existence, that we often will remark, half-jokingly and halfseriously, “two Jews three opinions.”

Who has not heard of the story of the Jew who was stranded on a desert island, who built two synagogues, one that he would BAMIDBAR attend and the other he would never step foot into… Observance Although we’d like to see how all Jews would become observant the stark and sad reality is that most Jews today are not observant or minimally and marginally observant. And even with regard to those who are observant, the differences and the gulf between them belie the assertion that we are all one.

Crisis Unites

How then can we say that we are the most united people, and that we are essentially one?

Some might point to the way we coalesce at times of crisis. Many will remember the Six Day War when Jews of all stripes banded together to show their support and solidarity for Israel..

But alas, these events seem to be the exception not the norm. How can we then justify the assertion of our sages that the BAMIDBAR Jewish people are essentially one?

One Soul, One Origin, One Destiny

The answer is that our unity derives from our G-dly soul. When we look at a person we only see their most external and peripheral characteristics. If we get to know the person, we can often learn much about their mind, disposition, character etc. But, it takes a very spiritual individual to recognize the truly G-dly dimension of one’s existence.

But the fact that it is the most difficult to observe is not an indication that it is anything but the most essential aspect of one’s identity. Indeed, everything else that identifies us derives from the essential soul that we all possess.

And because the G-dlly soul is our essence, it manifests itself in rare occasions, such as in times of crisis, as during the Six Day War. Throughout history there were countless examples of how otherwise alienated Jews gave their lives not to betray their identities as Jews. During those times, the true and BAMIDBAR most essential aspect of our lives comes to the fore.

Thus, while we are, outwardly, perhaps the most colorfully divided of people; there is an intrinsic unity that pervades all of us.

Indeed, our differences are not always bad and a sign of fragmentation and discord. Sometimes they are a manifestation of the infinite nature of our G-dly soul that can express itself in any number of ways. From that perspective we are all very different and unique.

And because we are in possession of the same soul, we also were chosen for the same future. Our destiny is what unites us even more; for a time will come that all Jews will recognize their G-dly mission given to them at Sinai.

Individuality within Unity

We can now understand why there was a need to count the Jewish people, but not to do it directly. By counting them it BAMIDBAR emphasized the individuality and uniqueness of every Jew.

Counting them directly, however, would have implied that they were inherently divided. By negating the concept of counting while simultaneously affirming it underscored the paradoxical nature of the Jewish nation: they are the most individualistic and colorful people, and simultaneously the most spiritually unified people Preparing for the Future Unity Unfortunately, we often see our differences far more than we see the inherent unity. This can be attributed primarily to the Galus-exile dynamic. It has the capacity to focus on the divisions and obscure the inner unity.

Thus our Sages tell us that exile was caused by our lack of unity. This implies that Galus is characterized by concealing the reality of our united existence.

One way of bringing Galus to an end is by appreciating the individual qualities of every BAMIDBAR Jew, while realizing that we are all one. This will prepare us for the coming of Moshiach.

The Rebbe emphasized that our focus on unity should shift from repairing the past disunity to being prepared for the ultimate unity of the future.

At that time the prophet says we will return to Israel as a Kahal Gadol, a great unified congregation.

At the same time, however, we will also be recognized as individuals, as the prophet says, “You will be collected for the Redemption one by one.

The Messianic Age dynamic will demonstrate that our differences are not inconsistent with our unity but rather a consequences of the infinite G-dly energy that unites us and manifests itself in countless ways.

BAMIDBAR

From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Bamidbar by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.