Judaism's Novel Approach to Unity 

10/8/22

America prides itself in its embrace of diversity. And while perhaps with a slightly different twist, Judaism does too. The holiday of Sukkot, which begins tomorrow night, teaches us Judaism's unique perspective on diversity.

We observe the weeklong holiday by eating in a sukkah and shaking the lulav and etrog, also known as "the four kinds." We take a lulav (palm branch), etrog (citron), hadasim (myrtles), and aravot (willows), and we observe the holiday by gathering these four kinds and binding them together.

Two lulavs, an etrog, and one myrtle won't work. We need one of each. And each kind must be different. The etrog has a great smell and taste, the lulav only a taste, the myrtle only a smell, and the willow nothing at all—four entirely different kinds. But we can only observe Sukkot if we bring them all together.

Judaism embraces differences. The Torah teaches of the Kohen, the Levi, and the Yisrael. Each of these three Jews has a different role to play in their Jewish life. Similarly, men and women have separate mitzvahs to fulfill; Shabbat candles for women, tefillin for men. Mikvah for women, tzitzit for men.

Torah indeed views equality a little differently than modern culture does. While western society understands equality to mean that everyone behaves the same way, Judaism believes quite differently: we each have different roles to play. And equality means that each of these roles--while different--is of equal value and importance.

And if you think about it, one can argue that the traditional Jewish approach to equality might be more embracing of diversity than that of western culture.

For if you and I are the same, work the same way, and have the same purpose, where is the diversity? Are we embracing and respecting differences or are we merely eliminating them?

This issue comes up with differences of opinion as well. Despite the diverse culture in which we find ourselves, it's all too common that folks are not ready to tolerate other attitudes and perspectives. It's almost as if diversity is great, but as long as you agree with me. So wait, where's the diversity?

Judaism, on the other hand, highly embraces and respects differences of opinion. The entire Talmud is full of it, and it seems that no two rabbis could agree on anything. But that wasn't an issue or a concern. Because Judaism seeks unity, not conformity.

Diversity, according to Judaism, means precisely that: each individual is different. We were each born with a unique mission. We each have our independent character and opinions. And we each have a different role to play. We are a diverse culture, but we're all of equal importance.