On July 27, Hezbollah terrorists massacred fellow Arabs with an attack on Majdal Shams, a Druze village in Northen Israel. 12 youth were killed and scores injured. Israel promised a strong response to protect all its citizens.
Israel has been engaged in a tit-for-tat with Hezbollah for the last year. However, recently, it appears that Israel has seized the initiative to restore peace to the region – with the only language that terrorists seem to understand. Hopefully, this will allow all the displaced residents of Northern Israel to return home.
It seems that Israel has suddenly realized that its survival depends on its own strength and pride.
*
This reminded me of the opening words of this week’s Torah portions, Nitzavim-Vayelech: “ You stand upright this day, all of you, before the L-rd your G-d: Your heads, your tribes, your elders, and your officers, and all the men of Israel; your little ones, your wives, and your stranger that is in your camp, from the hewer of your wood to the drawer of your water.”
The word nitzavim is translated as “stand upright,” after which the parsha is named.
So what is so critical about standing upright? And how do we draw the strength to stand tall in a world gone amok? When the world assemblies give honor to terrorists and demonize the Jews again and again – what gives us courage?
The rest of the verse gives it away: if we truly aspire to stand upright – proud, honest and full of conviction – it is when all the Jewish people stick together.
The verse does not say we are united because we are similar. It distinguishes us from each other. And, yet we are still united. True unity is not accomplished by living in an echo chamber. It’s achieved by coming together despite our differences.
And, that allows us to reach greater heights.
We don’t stand tall because of who we are individually. We reach the greatest heights and tap into the deepest reservoirs of determination when we are part of Am Yisrael.
I’m certain that there are diverse opinions about the conflict in Israel. But, make no mistake. Our own unity contributes to our resolve and strength.
*
As we prepare for the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, let us remember that standing proud before G-d is only possible if we stand united. And standing united just might require accepting that our survival depends on connecting with our Creator and with each other.