Page 6 - HaMizrachi Yom Yerushalayim - Shavuot 5782 USA

Tribes
Rabbi Ari
Rockoff

he Jewish community has for the sake of Heaven and our people that actually the case? Although each
always faced challenges – have assured our resilience and tribe has its own definitive strengths,
of demographics, internal survival through millennia. We exceed do our opinionated and clashing tribes
T dissension, and our the sum of our collective parts; we have actually add up to more than the sum
uncertain prospects. Through all to. of their parts? Or are we simply a
these, we have always understood What would our Avot and Imahot think splintered and broken people, with
about ourselves what outsiders rarely of our American Jewish community diminishing returns?
grasped: that Jews are not merely a today? We at Mizrachi think they We all recognize that these past two
religion or nationality. We are, rather, would be proud of the new Pew years have been difficult ones. COVID
a people that began as a large family findings showing how the American isolated us from each other and our
of twelve tribes, each with its own flag, Orthodox community, marked for communities, emphasizing our tribal
distinct characteristics and particular extinction in the middle of the last divisions to an unhealthy extent.
weaknesses and strengths. century, is growing fast and taking

Over time, the twelve tribes evolved a leadership role in the broader Perhaps this is a time for us to reflect
and take stock. Perhaps it is time for
into Am Yisrael, the Jewish Nation. After American Jewish community. us to think less about our narrow
we left Egypt for the desert, the tribes In some respects, we have much that tribal interests and more about our
received the Torah, a monumental our forefathers would be proud of: unified mission and destiny. Maybe
moment we celebrate each Shavuot. affluence, high educational levels and the time has come to open our minds
Receiving the Torah in the desert, a widespread Jewish learning and Torah and broaden our efforts on behalf of
harsh and desolate environment, study. Most significant, of course, is Jews everywhere, to finally fulfill our
allowed the fledgling nation to the miraculous establishment of the destiny as a light unto the nations.
achieve spiritual communion with G-d modern State of Israel, only a dream
while far from the materialism and for millennia, a home for many Jews The challenges are real, but also bring
corruption of dense, urban society. and a home away from home for all a silver lining. The threats to Israel and
In this way we became am echad b’lev Jews. And the accomplishments of the security of Jews around the world,
echad, one nation with a single heart. the State itself are astounding: in a the dreadful catastrophe in Ukraine
As our people grew and developed few short decades, Israel has become and the rise in antisemitism here in
the US and abroad force us to think
through the millennia, the tribes the start-up nation, a global economic about our roles and responsibility
took on different roles within the power with formidable defense forces as individuals, communities,
community, reflecting disparate and and a young, vibrant, and growing organizations, and, most importantly,
diverse points of view. Each faced population. as a people.
different challenges and developed Yet our founders would also see a
unique ways of responding to them. community and nation splintered Although we began as tribes, we are
To this day, like any family, we – the into often-warring denominations much more than tribes. We are more
descendents of those tribes – form and organizations. With our common than our divisions and differences
rivalries and different points of view. history and shared destiny, how did of opinion. While celebrating our
At the same time, the tribes of Am we become so divided and polarized? diversity, we must also emphasize our
Yisrael continue to share a common Is our Jewish family a dysfunctional unity of purpose. With this balance,
past, unified present, and a unique one? we will maximize our cohesiveness as
destiny. a people – and emerge as one nation,
Some might argue that the modern with one heart, am echad b’lev echad.
For us, internal diversity is not a denominational model of our nation
modern innovation; it has been part of matches the ideal and ancient model of
who we are since our tribal beginnings twelve tribes, allowing for differences Rabbi Ari Rockoff is the Executive Vice
thousands of years ago. Our arguments of opinions, roles, and practices. But is President of RZA–Mizrachi. rockoff@rza.org

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