The Unbreakable Bundle
Nitzavim
One of the oldest sources for reciting Selichos is a Tanna Dbei Eliyahu that teaches: Dovid Hamelech was worried how the Jewish people will be atoned for their sins once the Beis Hamikdash will be destroyed and they will no longer have the Korbanos.
Hashem told Dovid that when troubles befall the Jewish people on account of their sins, they should gather together as one באגודה אחת (literally as one bundle). They should confess their sins and say before Me the Seder Selicha and I will answer them.
The Tanna Dbei Eliyahu emphasises that it is not sufficient to just say the order of Selichos in prayer. To be effective, we must come together before Hashem באגודה אחת, in absolute unity.
This message is highlighted in Parshas Nitzavim, which is always read just before Rosh Hashana. The Parsha opens “you are all standing here today”. The Torah proceeds to enumerate a hierarchy of 10 social stratas, ranging from the leaders of the tribes to the lowly water-carriers. Yet, they all stand together.
The Torah writes that this was for the purpose of entering a covenant with Hashem - לעברך בברית. The Alter Rebbe observes that לעברך is written in singular form, highlighting the unity of the Jewish people as one.
The uniqueness of this covenant is that it introduced the concept of Arvus, that each Jew has to be a guarantor for every other Jew. This means that we were no longer just responsible for our own observance of Mitzvos, but that we carry the responsibility for others as well.
The key to achieving this sense of unity is humility. The unity of the Jewish people is likened to the form of a human body. Like the limbs of the body which each posses a unique function, every Jew has a contribution that they can make which no one else, not even the greatest scholar can. In this regard, even the lowly foot serves as the head. Humility and unity are the defining features of the side of Holiness.
The Alter Rebbe writes that the opening Pesukim of Parshas Nitzavim allude to the day of Rosh Hashana, when all of the Jewish people stand before Hashem equal and as one.
In our Yomim Noraim Tefillos we say ויעשו כולם אגודה אחת לעשות רצונך, “and they will make one band (or bundle) to do your will with a full heart”, employing the same metaphor of the united bundle recorded in the Tana Dbei Eliyahu.
Individual sticks are easily splintered. But when they are brought together in a bundle, they achieve a far greater strength through their synergy.
The term אגודה אחת is taken from a Pasuk in Amos. This Pasuk is referenced in the well-known Midrash describing how the four species (the lulav and esrog) represent different types of Jews in terms of their observance of Torah and Mitzvos. Hashem says let them be bound together, so that they may atone for one another.
The Midrash goes on to say that when we come together, we cause Hashem Himself to be elevated. The Midrash quotes the Pasuk הבונה שמים מעלותיו ואגדתו על ארץ יסדה, “”Who built His strata in the Heavens and founded His group on the earth.” The verse teaches us that when is He (Hashem) elevated? when they (the Jewish people) form one bundle on the earth.
Concerning the day of Rosh Hashana, the Zohar teaches “At a time that the world is being judged, one should not separate themselves, and speak only for themselves. On the day of judgement, those who stand alone, even if they are righteous, will be ensnared first. Therefore a person should never separate themselves from the community, because Hashem’s compassion is always on the community, all together.”
We are living in times when the unity of the Jewish people, particularly in Eretz Yisrael, is being tested. We see civil discord returning to the streets and brother turning against brother. Religious, social and political divides are once again eroding us from within. We are also living in a time where we need Hashem’s compassion and blessings, as we face threats that seek to break us.
No matter how righteous we may be in our own lives and service of Hashem, without the strength of unity, without being united as “one bundle” with all of Klal Yisrael, we will not merit the blessings that we so desperately need.
The greatest preparation that we can make for Rosh Hashana, is to do everything we can to strengthen our unity as a people; to heal the rifts between us and to draw one another closer to each other and closer to Hashem.
Hashem told Dovid that when troubles befall the Jewish people on account of their sins, they should gather together as one באגודה אחת (literally as one bundle). They should confess their sins and say before Me the Seder Selicha and I will answer them.
The Tanna Dbei Eliyahu emphasises that it is not sufficient to just say the order of Selichos in prayer. To be effective, we must come together before Hashem באגודה אחת, in absolute unity.
This message is highlighted in Parshas Nitzavim, which is always read just before Rosh Hashana. The Parsha opens “you are all standing here today”. The Torah proceeds to enumerate a hierarchy of 10 social stratas, ranging from the leaders of the tribes to the lowly water-carriers. Yet, they all stand together.
The Torah writes that this was for the purpose of entering a covenant with Hashem - לעברך בברית. The Alter Rebbe observes that לעברך is written in singular form, highlighting the unity of the Jewish people as one.
The uniqueness of this covenant is that it introduced the concept of Arvus, that each Jew has to be a guarantor for every other Jew. This means that we were no longer just responsible for our own observance of Mitzvos, but that we carry the responsibility for others as well.
The key to achieving this sense of unity is humility. The unity of the Jewish people is likened to the form of a human body. Like the limbs of the body which each posses a unique function, every Jew has a contribution that they can make which no one else, not even the greatest scholar can. In this regard, even the lowly foot serves as the head. Humility and unity are the defining features of the side of Holiness.
The Alter Rebbe writes that the opening Pesukim of Parshas Nitzavim allude to the day of Rosh Hashana, when all of the Jewish people stand before Hashem equal and as one.
In our Yomim Noraim Tefillos we say ויעשו כולם אגודה אחת לעשות רצונך, “and they will make one band (or bundle) to do your will with a full heart”, employing the same metaphor of the united bundle recorded in the Tana Dbei Eliyahu.
Individual sticks are easily splintered. But when they are brought together in a bundle, they achieve a far greater strength through their synergy.
The term אגודה אחת is taken from a Pasuk in Amos. This Pasuk is referenced in the well-known Midrash describing how the four species (the lulav and esrog) represent different types of Jews in terms of their observance of Torah and Mitzvos. Hashem says let them be bound together, so that they may atone for one another.
The Midrash goes on to say that when we come together, we cause Hashem Himself to be elevated. The Midrash quotes the Pasuk הבונה שמים מעלותיו ואגדתו על ארץ יסדה, “”Who built His strata in the Heavens and founded His group on the earth.” The verse teaches us that when is He (Hashem) elevated? when they (the Jewish people) form one bundle on the earth.
Concerning the day of Rosh Hashana, the Zohar teaches “At a time that the world is being judged, one should not separate themselves, and speak only for themselves. On the day of judgement, those who stand alone, even if they are righteous, will be ensnared first. Therefore a person should never separate themselves from the community, because Hashem’s compassion is always on the community, all together.”
We are living in times when the unity of the Jewish people, particularly in Eretz Yisrael, is being tested. We see civil discord returning to the streets and brother turning against brother. Religious, social and political divides are once again eroding us from within. We are also living in a time where we need Hashem’s compassion and blessings, as we face threats that seek to break us.
No matter how righteous we may be in our own lives and service of Hashem, without the strength of unity, without being united as “one bundle” with all of Klal Yisrael, we will not merit the blessings that we so desperately need.
The greatest preparation that we can make for Rosh Hashana, is to do everything we can to strengthen our unity as a people; to heal the rifts between us and to draw one another closer to each other and closer to Hashem.