The historical consciousness of the Jewish people emphasizes the danger inherent in controversy, division of hearts, and gratuitous hatred. In the heat of conflict, little thought is given to the heavy price we all may pay for it. But in retrospect, we see the bitter results.
The destruction of the Second Temple and the exile from our land came about because of gratuitous hatred. The great disaster that occurred during the counting of the Omer, with the death of twenty-four thousand disciples of Rabbi Akiva, also resulted from "not showing respect to one another.".
This was an extremely difficult blow, as our people lost their entire spiritual leadership in a short period of time, to the point that the Gemara defines the situation with the words "and the world was desolate.".
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The inner glue
Everyone agrees that gratuitous hatred is an obscene act and that it is important that love of Israel reside within us. The great challenge is to remember this even when differences of opinion develop, and when others do things that you are convinced are wrong.
The secret of love of Israel is in establishing the common denominator, which unites us all and is stronger than any differences that may arise between us. A family whose inner bond is strong and steadfast can tolerate even difficult disagreements. Family members can argue bitterly with each other, but they always feel that they are members of one family. In contrast, if family cohesion is damaged, a small conflict is enough to ignite a major conflagration.
We, the members of the Jewish people, also belong to one family. The basis that unites us all is the fact that we are Jews. If we understand that the glue that unites all members of the Jewish people is stronger than what separates them, we will remain one and united people despite our differences.
The fact that we are one people is not conditioned by beliefs, worldviews, actions, and behaviors. The phrase "he is not a Jew to me" should be taken out of the scope. A Jew is a Jew, and nothing can change that.
You are a Jew not because of what you believe, think, say or do. You are a Jew because by your very essence you are a Jew. This is your deep essence, and you can never escape it.
It is impossible to disconnect.
The Torah states that a Jew cannot be separated from his Jewishness, just as a person cannot cease to be a person. Even a Jew who casts off the yoke of Torah and commandments remains connected at his navel to the eternal covenant that God, the Holy One, made with the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. This is precisely why the Torah calls on him to return to it.
This is the basis that unites us all, all members of the Jewish people. We can quarrel and argue, struggle and fight – and we will still remain Jews, brothers. Even if we cannot reach agreement and understanding, and even if each one thinks the most difficult things about the other, we are still Jews. This recognition is the secret of our strength, and it allows us to love every Jew as a brother. Because we are truly brothers.
We have seen that our enemies do not distinguish between one Jew and another, because for them we are all Jews. For us too.
