‘Achdut’: An Impossible Dream or True Opportunity ?

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The Hebrew word for “unity” is achdut. It represents a basic tenant of Judaism that advances the idea and concept that people should experience and act as one nation, one people and one family

There are hundreds of  meaningful and inspiring articles and posts written, published and podcasted on a monthly basis regarding the topic of achdut – especially following October 7th. To be sure, this welcomed focus suggests and reinforces the critical importance  of achdut and its impact in both Israel and diaspora Jewish communities.

What achdut is, how it is actually achieved and actualized, and the consequences of its failure or failed attempts, have had profound and daunting implications throughout our Jewish history.

Achdut as a concept, goal and objective is a topic of paramount importance and must become front and center on our communal radar.

Achdut Moments vs Achdut Living

As we know, there are spontaneous “achdut moments” and there are lasting achdut milestones which are long-term and hopefully enduring.

There are achdut moments when we feel and experience pride when parading up Manhattan’s 5th Avenue at an Israel Day Parade; attend a shoulder-to-shoulder Shai Rebo concert in Madison Square Garden, participate in a “Stand with Israel” rally or participate in a Siyum  HaShas celebration in a packed and overflowing  New Jersey sports stadium.

The one commonality that each of these events possess is the physical nature of the gathering and the phenomenon of  like-minded  people who gather together for these inspiring events and their impact.

All of  these experiences engender a sense of belonging, unity and communality. They also provide acheinu with tremendous Jewish pride, inspiration and chizuk – all  of which coalesce around the concept of Jewish unity, peoplehood and ahavat yisrael

These experiential communal events and experiences may or not be transformative in nature, but many do inform, inspire, engage and create a sense of communality (not to be confused with commonality) which more often than not are viewed by most as “achdut movements”.

Achdut moments, as the phrase suggests, are powerful moments or events in time which engender potentially powerful and inspiring opportunities for amcha and acheinu bnai yisrael to come together for a single  shared and common goal, experience or a series of experiences.

Deeper and Wider Sustainability

As I  observe and experience the wide array of increased events which purport to create feelings of achdut and ahavat yisrael, I often ask myself the proverbial questions….is this achdut and ahavas yisrael  which we are witnessing and experiencing truly deep, sustainable or permanent?  can these events and activities survive the test of time? and more importantly, what can we as a community do in order to ensure that these feelings and experiences of achdut are deeply embedded in our hearts, souls , human condition and psyche?

When discussing this challenge  with several close well-respected rabbinic colleagues, I hear responses like:  achdut is hardly ever sustainable, be happy, celebrate and appreciate the status quo and always remember that throughout history, achdut and achdut bnai yisrael ebbs and flows – it comes and goes…..and finally, the ultimate response – no two people view achdut through the same lenses.

All of these responses may in fact be true, realistic and make tremendous sense. But having said that, I often wonder if  is it possible to push the envelope in order to help ensure long-term  achdut sustainability, so that achdut moments can be transformed into permanent achdut experiences. Is it even possible?

Throughout Jewish history we experienced a variety of profoundly impactful events with powerfully strong themes of achdut.

A beautiful example of achdut is demonstrated on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur when we are mitpallel that everyone becomes an aguda achat – one unit; or when we hold the arba minim (the four species) together on Sukkot, symbolizing unity. These are just two examples as presented by Rabbi Dr. Natan Slifkin in an excellent article entitled “The Lie of Achdus” (October 15, 2014) which symbolize achdut. But here again, they occur only once a year.

According to Slifkin, true achdut engenders “btotherhood – nosei b’ol im chavero (sharing your friends burden) and (not standing idly by as your brother hurts or is in pain).

An additional source is found in the Sukkot edition of Mishpacha Magazine entitled “Succos and Jewish Unity”  authored by Rabbi Jonathan Rosenbloom.

In his insightful article, he refers to a Midrash which says that the bnai yisrael in Egypt made a covenant to become an aguda echat, a unified group and to always do chesed for one another.

Once again, this level of achdut was profound and palpable. But did it last throughout our  history?

The other achdut moment which I use quite often was when bnai yisrael were gather at the base of Har Sinai as an Ish Echad, Blev Echad. – one people with one heart.

But, did it last and was it sustainable

The number of achdut references in our Torah are numerous. As indicated earlier, they ebb and flow throughout history……. like the waves and tides of the ocean.

In light of this reality, if we were to wave a magic wand in order to ensure a permanent level of achdut, in Israel and in diaspora Jewish communities, what would it look like? and, more importantly, how would we create and sustain it?

 Creating and Sustaining  Achdut Mindfulness, Purposefulness  and Awareness

Although there are never ever guarantees in life, we can always try to create and build a  communal reality of achdut through perseverance, persistence and with a can-do attitude.

If we leave these achdut moments  to their natural development and evolution, they will in  all probability dissipate over an extended period of time. Its just a historical reality and reflection of our human condition.

In light of this reality, I would like to respectfully suggest that achdut bnai yisrael become an ongoing conscious effort which is embedded in our everyday lives. I underscore, everyday lives.

This new reality must require and even demand a level of mindfulness and purposeful thinking that positions achdut at the apex of our individual and collective communal  conscious, agenda and raison d’etre.

This also suggests that we must commit ourselves to a unswerving and continuous quest for achdut, not unlike our quest for good health, security and safety.

Friends, one final important thought…..

In order to achieve true Achdut, we need not agree 100% with one another; nor do we need to support each others different points of view. That would be remarkable, if that were only achievable.

What is required however is a level of respect for one’s point of view. The word tolerance which is so often misused to represent achdut must be removed from the achdut lexicon,.  It must be about RESPECT for our fellow bnai yisrael; and an imperative not to publically criticize, belittle, denigrate or disparage members of our community.

At the end of the day, as members of klal yisrael, we must never ever forget the horrifying events, struggles and  challenges we experienced this past year…or for that matter, throughout history.

Although we are a resilient and determined people, as well as a mamlechchet kohanim and an am kadosh, we should always keep in mind that we are all created b’zelem elokim that with Hashem’s guidance, we can only rely on ourselves  for our physical safety and security, religious freedom and support.

Let us never take this condition for granted or squander this reality.

Achdut  is one aspect of our common destiny that we must try to  continuously inspire, control and direct.

Achdut must become a top priority for our community.

It is time!