True “Achdut” (Unity) is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

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The term “it’s a marathon, not a sprint” is a metaphor suggesting that more often than not, we need to focus on the long term and not always short-term results. It is often used when beginning a difficult and challenging task or when trying to achieve systemic, transformational or cultural change. It also means that we should pace ourselves moving forward and not to expect immediate results or outcomes.

So how does this phrase relate to the challenge of achdut?

From a definitional perspective, achdut means unity or unification.

Jewish unity or achdut is often applied to our Jewish community when  Klal Yisrael joins together as one people, and as one nation both in good times and during times of crisis or danger

Achdut can happen when the Jewish community unites together; and when we support one another or are unified against a common threat or enemy.

In a sense, achdut is  about coming together towards a common goal and common purpose.

Throughout Jewish history, we have witnessed the ebb and flow of Achdut Bnei Yisrael –  from the monumental unifying moment when we all received the Torah at Har Sinai as an Ish Echad b’lev Echad, to its opposite or antithesis, when we exhibited Sinat Chinam (baseless hatred) towards each other, resulting in the destruction of the Bais Hamikdash..

At the end of the day, true achdut is about unity, not uniformity. We never have to think alike or the same in order to be united on a position “on the same page”.

As we know,  Bnai Yisrael can be a very stubborn and fikkle people. One day we stand together united, the next day, we are divided. It’s just our complex condition as a people. It’s in our DNA. In a strange way, it’s also about our resilience and ability to acclimate and adapt to a variety of very difficult and challenging situations or circumstances.

According to several sociologists achdut can serve as our Jewish community’s defense mechanism against danger, persecution, uncertainty  and even crisis.

As we all know, where there are numbers, there is strength.

More recently, just prior to the unprecedented horrifying attack of  the October 7th massacre, we all witnessed and experienced violent demonstrations and protests in Israel regarding Israel’s proposed Judicial reform laws. This followed the violent demonstrations in the streets of Israel between police and yeshiva students in response to the proposed induction of religious students into the IDF; and finally the unprecedented physical violence that ensued in Tel Aviv between religious and nonreligious citizens in response to the separation of genders during public outdoor tefillot.

These are just several harsh and sobering examples regarding the fragility and tenuous nature of achdut of our people.

These divisions, demonstrations and violent protests all seemed to dissipate or disappear fully immediately following October 7th, when all of Acheinu Bnai Yisrael Yisrael were fixated and focused once again united through an existential threat of monumental proportion.

With the exception of the violent protests and demonstrations to end the war, strike a ceasefire deal and bring home the hostages, the war did bring the country together in light of its common enemy that threatens Israel’s existence.

Several years ago, I conducted  a series of  teen leadership seminars for about 80 yeshiva and Jewish  day high school students.

We talked about a wide variety of challenges impacted the Jewish community, including the topic of Achdut from a practical communal  perspective.

I asked the group to define the term achdut. I  then asked them to provide select  examples of what it means for all us to be united in true achdut.

The responses varied from – we all need to be on the same page politically; we must all agree with each other: we should never fight with each other;  we must find ways to compromise our differences; we need to find a common ground; ahavat yisrael; and we have to learn how to trust and live with one another.

All of the these excellent responses were totally expected coming from high school students. They each represented critically important characteristics of achdut. However, there was one word or phrase which from was sorely missing. It was DERECH ERETZ.

Not one student indicated or mentioned the term respect or derech eretz. It was just not part of their lexicon when defining achdut. When I shared this glaring omission with them, many appeared to be somewhat puzzled as to how and why derech eretz would be a fundamental characteristic of achdut.

I then proceeded to demonstrate the interlocking and interdependent relationship between achdut and derech eretz. It was a very insightful, enlightening  and meaningful conversation.

A month later, as part of a Jewish identity encounter workshop, I repeated this exercise with a group of fifty-five  young and middle age adults. The responses were basically the same. Not one adult mentioned or even suggested the importance of derech eretz when describing achdut. I was astonished, surprised and frankly, somewhat disappointed.

In light of this reality, we may want to ask ourselves the obvious question….is it really feasible or even possible to achieve true achdut in the absence of derech eretz ?

This question is obviously rhetorical. Achieving, promoting or celebrating achdut must go hand-in-hand with derech eretz. If we do not respect each other, achdut becomes a temporary group exercise and it will never be possible to be fully achievable or sustainable.

At the risk of hypothesizing a possible response, I would like to respectfully suggest that we  have been trained and conditioned to think about “derech eretz”  as an interpersonal relationship between two people, not towards a group, or community.  One has derech eretz for a parent, for a teacher, a rebbe or for the store owner at a checkout counter. But derech eretz for a group of  people or for a community, is a concept or a position which many of our schools may not focus upon. It is not easy concept, but one nevertheless that requires deeper and serious conversation.

The challenge of how we demonstrate authentic derech eretz towards  one another is a challenge of monumental importance and requires significant review, celebration and analysis. Indeed a topic for another blog post.

Returning to our central challenge…….

How the attainment of achdut is considered  a marathon and not a sprint should be anchored in our in-depth understanding of how and why  achdut occurs, and how it can be sustained over an extended period of time.

First, it is essential for us to understand and appreciate why and how achdut is a fundamental Jewish and religious concept and principle. Standing together with other Jewish members of our community and with acheinu bnai yisrael in order to support an important  position is critical – whether it be standing with Israel, promoting Jewish values, adhering to principles of civility or  demonstrating other forms of communal support.

Establishing sustainable  levels of achdut requires a process, it takes time, it requires conviction, understanding and agreement. And yes, it requires a sense of urgency, a level of respect and derech eretz for others.

Achdut Bnai Yisrael  does not happen overnight, nor does it occur on the impulse of the moment, lest it be temporary . It therefore feels like a marathon, and not a sprint.

It begins with understanding the issues, having respect for those who are like-minded regarding these issues; supporting a commonality of understanding; and acting in a civil and respectful manner with those who may even be disagreeable.

As we know, life is not perfect, we as a people are not perfect; and the positions we take or make are mixed with imperfection..

Having said that, it is incumbent upon all of Acheinu Bnai Yisrael to create and support the right conditions required and necessary to create, support and foster sustainable achdut.

It is our responsibility and obligation; and it is indeed a marathon and not a single sprint.