This past week, we experienced another tragedy for the Jewish people. It happened in Australia, but was personally felt by Jews worldwide, most of whom did not know any of the victims. As Jews we are one people; we are brothers and sisters, and it’s personal – even when we don’t know each other.
Yosef’s brothers come to Egypt to purchase food during the famine. Yosef recognizes them and accuses them of being spies. They, however, do not recognize him and respond, “We are all the sons of one man; we are honest. Your servants have never been spies.” (Bereishis 42:11)
The Ramban explains that Yosef’s suspicion was rooted in the fact that all ten brothers arrived together to buy food. Yaakov could have sent a single son accompanied by servants to manage the transaction. Why, then, did he send all ten? This question is even stronger considering that Yaakov withheld Binyamin out of fear that something might happen to him—surely the same danger applied to the other brothers.
The Ramban answers that Yaakov did not want to separate the brothers. Preserving their unity and strengthening and maintaining a strong bond among them was so vital that it justified the risk of the journey. For Yaakov, brotherhood was not a convenience—it was a necessity.
Unity and brotherhood are foundational to the Jewish people. They are prerequisites for living a life that truly reflects Hashem’s values and follows the Torah’s path. When Hillel and Rabbi Akiva taught that loving one’s fellow is the cornerstone of the Torah, they did not mean an abstract or collective love alone. They meant love for each individual person.
Ahavat Yisrael is not a generic affection for the Jewish people as a whole; it is a genuine love for every individual Jew. Working for an important cause is meaningful, but if it does not involve real care and concern for individuals, it falls short of true Ahavat Yisrael. Our love for the community must be an outgrowth of our compassion and responsibility for each person within it.
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Shaps and the JET Team
