Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

Our ancient Sages wonder how hundreds of thousands of Israelites could have ended up in close proximity to each other after safely crossing the Sea of Reeds, One particular Midrash suggests that when the twelve tribes were going through the water on dry land, each tribe maintained itself within a transparent enclosure. As a result, each tribe was able to identify itself in relation to its fellow tribes. All twelve tribes stayed close to one another and were able to emerge safely with each other on the other side of the sea.

While this commentary is somewhat fanciful, it comes to teach many value lessons.  Each tribe had its own distinctive identity. Later in the Torah, each tribe will bear its own flag and be represented by its particular gemstone on the Priestly breastplate. Nevertheless, each tribe recognized that it was part of a larger unified nation. The peoplehood of Israel could not move forward to Sinai until all twelve tribes assembled as one. The Midrash underscores the concept of unity within diversity. We can be one people and respect individual distinctiveness at the same time.

The Midrash can be applied on many levels. A family can be united as one while recognizing differences within the family structure. The Jewish people can be united while recognizing diversity in thought and practice based on geographical origins or contemporary ideology. On a universal level, different religious, ethnic, and cultural groups can be united since we all trace our origins to a single source of humanity.

While the Torah contains many miracles leading to and through the crossing of the sea, a miracle that we must make happen is appreciating unity within diversity.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison