What Do We Have In Common?
Do you tend to find what you have in common with others or do tend to find what separates you from others?
Does your Judaism help you be a more unifying kind of a person or does it make you more divisive?
When you meet other Jewish people who don’t share your particular Jewish point of view, whether that might be in practice or faith, do you try to find common ground or do you try to show how different you are? And what do you feel in your heart of hearts?
Which path would bring more peace? Which path would make your life more meaningful? Which path is in line with the purpose for which we were created?
Peace is one of the greatest blessings in the world. In our prayers we refer to peace as one of G-d’s most treasured blessing and we wish for G-d to bestow it upon us.
Peace does not mean that we should all think alike, quite the contrary, G-d created us each to think uniquely different, as the Talmud states, “no 2 think alike”. However, we need to do what ever we can to pursue peace.
One way of accomplishing it is by focusing on what unites us and not what divides us. We Jews are such a minority as it is, we have no choice but to focus on what unites us rather then what divides us.
This is one of the teachings of the Rebbe, Rabbi M.M. Schneerson, my teacher and mentor, that made a strong impression on me when I was a young Yeshiva student. He taught me that we all have so much in common and we should never let our differences get in the way.
I have tried my entire life to live up to this standard, to always try to find common ground. Even if it is only 1%. When I have succeeded it has brought much joy to my life.
What is remarkable is that it is many times easier to get along with someone that you have little in common with then someone that you have a lot in common with.
That would go for family units, community members etc. In those very close relationships the small differences that we have seem to be a greater obstacle then the large differences with those that we are not so close with.
Therefore it is easier to get along with someone from an entirely different faith then with many of our own faith. It can be easier to get along with a stranger then with a close family member.
The reasons for this can fill volumes, but the underlying solution is simple but not easy. Instead of allowing the differences to consume us, we should obsess over the things that unite us.
Our nature seems to work against us and tries to find the differences that separate us. But for this alone it was worth it for G-d to create the world. To see a world of such diverse people and ways of thinking that despite its differences comes together and finds the things that unite them in making this world a better and more G-dly place, is truly divine.
On a personal level we need to work hard at finding the common ground because the emotions run high and are difficult to reason with.
On a collective level it can be easier.
One of the areas that many of us have in common is the idea of helping people less fortunate then ourselves. The concept of tzedakah is a universal unifying idea. It cuts across all borders and boundaries and allows us to truly rise above our differences to make a cosmic difference.
Let us all unite and join hands in unity and break down the walls that divide us. We don’t have to let go of our personal beliefs or practice we are simply uniting around a cause that we can all agree upon.
We truly are one community we truly are one world. Can you imagine what it would feel like if we could put our differences aside and join together with one heart about one common cause?
True, we cannot change the world overnight and we should not expect dramatic results in our lives in a flash, but by changing our attitude and by looking for opportunities to come together, then we will see some results. Over time it will bring much joy into your life, it will bring much joy to G-d, and will ultimately reach global proportions.
So next time you see or hear of an event that will help others in our community try to find a way to participate, whether you are a part of that group or not. In truth we are all part of the same group, we are really all one big family, with the same history and destiny.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Zalman Marcus