For the Shabbat Table

Rabbi Danny Mirvis Deputy CEO, World Mizrachi Rabbi of Ohel Moshe Synagogue, Herzliya Pituach

“If you shall follow my decrees and keep my Mitzvot and perform them…” (Vayikra 26:3).

This week’s second Parsha begins with the blessings that await us if we stay true to Hashem and His commandments. Within the blessings of achieving peace and military success, we come across a mathematical problem: “You shall pursue your enemies and they shall fall before you by the sword. Five of you shall pursue a hundred, and a hundred of you shall pursue ten thousand and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword” (Vayikra 26:7-8).

If five shall pursue a hundred, it means each person will have the ability to pursue twenty enemies. Based on that, a hundred should only be able to pursue two thousand enemies – not the ten thousand we find in the verse.

Rashi explains the apparent lack of proportion:

“And is that the correct calculation? Surely it should have only said that a hundred of you shall pursue two thousand! However, you cannot compare a few who perform the Torah to many who perform the Torah”.

Rashi explains that when many people come together to perform the Torah, not only does the total strength grow, but so do the strength and potential of each and every individual. Therefore, whereas five could only chase away a hundred, a hundred could chase away ten thousand. Herein lies the vital lesson of the strength that comes through unity.

For example, praying as part of a Minyan or even larger community has three benefits in this regard. First, I increase the overall ability of the gathering, for “B’Rov

Am Hadrat Melech” – In (the presence of) many people, the King is glorified. Second, my personal potential for meaningful prayer grows as part of the community. Third, I increase the individual potential of every other member of the group.

Hence, the benefits of unity extend far beyond avoiding the dangers of division. Unity in and of itself empowers us all to achieve more, as individuals, as communities, and as a nation, coming together to work towards elevated goals.

By prioritising unity and internalising its great power, may we all be strengthened as a result.

Shabbat Shalom!