Unity Will Ultimately Save Us by Rabbi Yaaqob Menashe Midrash Tanhuma points out how great peace is. Even when it comes to wars, G-d tells us that we must start with overtures of peace. This is seen in the Pasuq (verse), כי תקרב אל עיר להלחם עליה וקראת אליה לשלום, When you approach a city to fight against it, you shall call out to it in peace (Debarim, 20;10). Our Rabbis tell us that peace is so powerful that when the Jewish people are all unified, even if there are idolaters among them, the attribute of justice cannot affect them. However, when they are divided, the attribute of justice can harm them. If a person takes individual sticks he can easily break them, but if he takes a whole bunch, he will find them impossible to break. So too the Jewish people will only become redeemed when they are all united like one bunch, and at that time they will merit to receive the Shekhinah (G-ds holy presence). The Jewish people are currently going through difficult and challenging times, and we must make an extra effort to display our unity, because this is what will ultimately save us. (See Tanhuma, Shoftim 18, Nisabim, 1) Thank you, Yaakoba Cohendich Brooks.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 15:02:29 +0000