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We are a nation that succeeded in overcoming the deepest rifts by uniting above them and not by suppressing all opposing views under one dominant opinion. Moreover, we have succeeded in harnessing our differences for the common good in a way that not only allows for all views to exist but even strengthens other views without negating one’s own. As expressed in the book Maor Einayim, “Indeed, when all the disputes are elevated to the root of the source, to the world of unity, unity is formed over the names of the people of Israel.”[i]
But in order to attain this unity, we first need to have the desire to connect, as it is written in Likutey Halachot [Assorted Rules], “The essence of love and unity is in the desire. When each one is pleased with his friend, there is no disparity of desire between them, and they are all included in one desire. By this, they are incorporated in the upper desire, which is the end goal of the unity.”[ii]
Our sages wrote succinctly about the conditions for getting closer to each other. We cannot connect when we behave as self-righteous Jews and cancel, disregard, or disparage one another. As it is expressed in the book Maor VaShemesh,
“The main thing that brings one to love another is by each one being lowly and despicable in his own eyes, always finding faults in everything he does, and seeing the righteousness and actions of one’s friend as very great in his eyes. Through this, he comes to love his friend and be in unity with him. Conversely, if he is great in his own eyes and feels proud, he naturally sees his friend’s faults and by this comes to hate him, since his friend is very lowly in his eyes.”[iii]
King Solomon stated, “Hate stirs up strife, and love will cover all crimes” (Proverbs 10:12). As long as we let hatred set the tone among us, we will experience a collective decline. Conversely, we can claim victory when we are able to cover hate with love. The choice is in our hands.
One may ask, why would I want to unite with other fellow Jews? What would I get from it? Our sages shared their thoughts on this matter throughout their writings. Rav Kook wrote in his book Orot (Lights), “A person from Israel who wants to be rewarded with the light of life in truth must agree to plant himself in the assembly of Israel with all his heart, with all his senses and corporeal and spiritual powers.”
Similarly, Kabbalist Yehuda Ashlag (Baal HaSulam) wrote, “The most important thing before you today is the unity of friends. Exert in that more and more, for it can recompense for all the faults.”[iv] And in the book Degel Machaneh Ephraim, we can read,
“It is good for the children of Israel to always unite together in one bundle. Then, even those who are of lesser degree help their friends sanctify with more holiness and attain more. The upper one needs the one below it, and the lower one needs the one above it. Likewise, you should always be bundled in one bundle, and then your roots will unite, as well. This is the meaning of ‘You will be unto Me a Segula [virtue/remedy],’ meaning that you will be a Segula in the upper world, as well, when you are in one unity below.”[v]
In a nutshell, especially now, as antisemitism is rising worldwide, we can use this age-old hatred as a lever, get closer to each other, and thus become once again the united people of Israel, a model of unity and brotherhood that the world so desperately needs. This is the panacea that the world is searching for.
Indeed, as Baal HaSulam writes,
“The Israeli nation had been constructed as a sort of gateway by which sparks of purity would flow onto the entire human race throughout the world. And these sparks multiply daily, like one who gives to the treasurer until they are filled sufficiently, meaning until they develop to such an extent that they can understand the pleasantness and tranquility that are found in the kernel of love of others.”[vi]
[i] Rabbi Menachem Nachum, Maor Einayim, Portion VaYetze.
[ii] Rabbi Natan, Likutey Halachot [Assorted Rules], Hoshen Mishpat, “Rules of the Guarantor.”
[iii] Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Halevi Epstein, Maor VaShemesh [Light and Sun], Nitzavim [Standing].
[iv] Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag (Baal HaSulam), Letter No. 10, The Writings of Baal HaSulam, vol. 2, trans. Chaim Ratz (USA: Laitman Kabbalah Publishers, 2019), 290.
[v] Moshe Chaim Ephraim, Degel Machaneh Ephraim, Yitro [Jethro].
[vi] Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag (Baal HaSulam), “The Arvut” (Mutual Guarantee), The Writings of Baal HaSulam, vol. 1, trans. Chaim Ratz (USA: Laitman Kabbalah Publishers, 2019), 52.
Based on the book “Jewish Self-Hatred: The Enemy Within – An Overview of Jewish Antisemitism” by Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.
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