One of the great virtues of America dates back to its founding. Thirteen colonies joined together to form the union that is the United States of America. Thus declares the Latin motto on our ten-cent pieces: E pluribus unum, translated as “Out of many, one.”
Throughout the years this oneness has grown to include many others. 183 years later the 50th state, Hawaii, joined the union. Thousands upon thousands arrived on America’s shores from other countries, embracing America’s values and seeking its opportunities. And, no doubt, many more will come.
The beauty of America is the joining together of so many different individuals toward a common goal.
What happens, I wonder, when an American leaves America for greener pastures elsewhere? Does the loss of one person affect the whole? Is the union weakened by an American-turned-terrorist-or-traitor?
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Now consider the Jewish people.
We are similar in many ways. Yet, we are as disparate as can be – from Moroccan to Russian, from atheist to Chassidic. Yet we all belong to the same people.
What happens if one of us abandons our people? Are the Jews less complete?
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In this week’s parsha of Vayelech we read of two important mitzvot. The first, the commandment of Hakhel, is the gathering of the entire Jewish people in Jerusalem every seven years. Yes, every Jew – man, woman and child – was required to attend. The second is the mitzvah of writing a Torah scroll, in which every letter is necessary to maintain its sanctity. One missing letter invalidates the Torah.
The juxtaposition of these commandments demonstrates the critical necessity of every single Jew. We may not agree on everything. We may not share common language or cuisine. But we are all indispensable to the wholeness of the Jewish people.
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As we prepare for the most sacred day of Yom Kippur, let us remember that every Jew belongs in shul on Yom Kippur. Yes – the observant, the unobservant, the atheist, the young, the old, women and men. We all need each other. Without each other, our peoplehood – and our prayers – are lacking.
Maybe a more suitable phrase for the Jewish people would be E unum pluribus, “Out of the one, many.”