Another Pesach In Search of “Achdut” – An All Too Familiar Challenge and Reality

Photo By: C Botwinick

“TRUE ACHDUT IS A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT”

With the unfortunate breakdown of ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, and the complete failure of any progress regarding a hostage release deal, Israel is once again thrown into political and social turmoil and is on the verge of existential crisis….the worst since prior to and immediately following the tragic bloody massacre of October 7th.

Although Israel is accustomed to levels of political and social disruption and turmoil, this time it feels somewhat different, very different. The level of anger, frustration, consternation and hatred exhibited between acheinu bnai yisrael has reached a feverish pitch and one which now has the daunting  potential to threaten and destroy the very precious and beautiful fabric of eretz yisrael, am yisrael, medinat yisrael. and achdut bnai yisrael.

The violent and dangerous demonstrations now taking place in the streets of Yerushalayim and Tel Aviv, the calls for a national strike and demands for reelections, as well as  unabashed  internal hatred between our brothers and sisters  along the ideological and religious divide are frightening events which can spiral completely out of control and be ready to explode like a keg of  dry dynamite.

As we observe these events from our perch in the United States, all of these sad and frightening realities are exacerbated by the hostilities in Gaza, the rocket attacks from Lebanon and more frequent missile launches from Yemen by the Houthis. All the while, our precious hostages continue to suffer unbearable physical suffering and psychological torture in the hell-hole created by of  Hamas.

These realities include the thousands of  injured IDF chayalim now requiring serious physical and psychological  rehabilitation, the countless  number of orphans of  IDF chayalim killed on the battlefield and the daunting nightmares of parents, families and friends of those being held captive as hostages.

When and how will this nightmare end?

The military and moral support Israel now receives from our newly elected President of the United States and his impressive cabinet are  beyond welcomed and sincerely appreciated. But, the internal sadness, suffering, violence and social, political and internal upheaval in Israel remains unabated..

Although it is not within the purview of this writer to address  military or geopolitical exigencies now facing Israel, we all feel a deep and profound  shared sense of obligation and  responsibility to help achienu achieve a higher level of  support, strength, fortitude and resilience. To be sure, the status quo is not sustainable.

As I have written on numerous occasions, a nation without Achdut is like a nation without a purpose, moral compass, identity or a  sense of direction. – all required for the country’s  growth, survival and ultimate destiny.

I will not point fingers, opine or engage in the blame-game which has now become so politically acceptable and fashionable. There is nothing to be gained by this approach. But rather the opportunity to reflect on a reality which I believe is shared by many, irrespective of background, hashkafa or religiosity. ….and that reality is Chag Pesach – the beautiful holiday of Passover.

As we approach Chag Pesach, we are reminded of how bnai yisrael first became a single  nation in mitzrayim; how we as a people sojourned through the midbar  from mitzrayim to eretz yisrael; how we stood together in unity as an ish echad b’lev echad  –  as one people with one heart. In fact, a central theme of  Pesach is the commandment  to recall and remember the exodus from mitzrayim  and how HaShem took us out of  slavery as a unified nation. In fact, we are commanded to remember this defining event as if we were actually present during this exodus.

We even see this clearly when trying to understand the purpose and meaning for the Korban Pesach, where the entire bnai yisrael were part of this critically important and significant  sacrificial ritual.

As I have written on numerous occasions, a nation without achdut is like a nation with no compass, direction or future.

Achdut bnai yisrael is about our identity and destiny. and it must be our clarion call regardless of circumstance or events.

Moreover, achdut does not need to mean that everyone must be the same but that we can have many different opinions and still be an integral part of a united nation.

Finally, achdut is and must remain a fundamental principle for achienu b’nai yisrael. We are mitpallel for achdut, yearn for achdut; and, most of our collective problems and challenges as a people and nation may if fact be due to a lack of achdut.

Again, true achdut does not demand that we all need to think the same, look the same or agree to everything. But rather to respect each others perspective.

Yes, this challenge does become much more difficult and complex as we observe halachic differences. I  must therefore defer to religious and rabbinic leadership in order to more responsibly respond and interpret  these halachic  challenges  and to determine how they may or may not impact on the achdut narrative.

Friends, as we know, even members of our family will disagree with one another and some of these divides are deep and painful. But, at the end of the day “blood is thicker than water” and our current survival must be anchored in our ability, capacity and willingness to stand together in unity, irrespective of our differences.

The quote that achdut is a marathon, not a sprint means exactly what is suggests. It is not a one-off event during times of tranquility, but rather a continuous struggle, challenge and up-hill battle. It requires perseverance, resilience, hard work  and above all, ahavat yisrael.

Remember, no pain, no gain !

So on this coming  Chag Pesach, let us all remember that at the end of the day, our successful sojourn from mitzayim to eretz yisrael could only have been accomplished or realized  b’yad HaShem, through the hand of God, and through achdut bnai yisrael

The story of Pesach is a narrative of collective strength, struggle and liberation…emphasizing the need for unity in order to overcome and confront adversity.

It is our hope and prayer that this coming Pesach will witness the release of our precious hostages from captivity, and that our enemies will fail in their unwavering  efforts to destroy our existence and destiny.

Finally, we are all mitpallel that achdut b’nai yisrael  becomes the norm as opposed to the exception. We have no choice.

With warm wishes for a Chag Pesach Kasher v’Sameach.

May it be a chag of bracha, sholom, and achdut.