Yesterday’s historic gathering in Washington DC, which attracted close to 300,000 people in person and another 250,000 participating online, was an extraordinary display of unity and solidarity for Israel. Amidst this impressive turnout, an intriguing halachic discussion started to emerge in the days leading up to this event. Would we have the unique opportunity to recite the bracha, ברוך אתה ה’ אלקנו מלך העולם חכם הרזים? Although the crowd size did not reach the 600,000 threshold necessary to recite this bracha, the essence of these words was undeniably present in the spirit of the event.
The bracha “Baruch…Chacham Harazim” (Blessed is the One who knows all secrets) reflects a deep acknowledgment of the profound and awesome divine wisdom in creating each person uniquely. The rabbis in the Talmud (Brachos 58a) emphasized this blessing to express their awe at the miracle of human diversity: billions of people, each with distinct facial features and unique personalities, a core Jewish value highlighting the sanctity and uniqueness of each individual. At yesterday’s gathering, the essence of this bracha was palpable. The diverse assembly of individuals, each with their own views, beliefs, and backgrounds, came together as a unified community, exemplifying the message of the blessing – while each person is unique, there is a shared commonality that binds us.
Reflecting on the events of the past month, there is, what appears to me, a noticeable trend within the Jewish nation: a narrowing of the spectrum. Known for our diverse range of opinions, views, and beliefs, the global Jewish community has shown signs of moving towards the center from both extremes of the political and ideological spectrum. (There are several profound examples of this that come to mind but, in the interest of unity :-), I am choosing to not identify any in particular.) This fascinating shift suggests a trend of moderation, where more individuals may be willing to engage with and understand different perspectives, hopefully leading to more constructive dialogues and less polarization.
The convergence towards the middle doesn’t erase the unique views and beliefs of individuals. Instead, it highlights a different model of unity. It reflects our People’s ability to hold onto one’s beliefs while finding common ground with others. This trend should be seen as a source of optimism, suggesting a maturing community capable of balancing diverse views. Personally, it is a trend that leaves me feeling more hopeful than I have felt in quite some time.
The Talmud (Ta’anis 31a) foresees a day in the future in which Hashem will be “revealed,” with His presence being perceived at the center of a circle. While we have yet to experience something quite that remarkable, yesterday’s momentous gathering in Washington and the observed trends within the community are exciting phenomena to behold. Let us hope and pray that they only continue and that we continue to see a narrowing of the spectrum, a departure from extremes, and a continued focused trend towards the Center – who created us and loves us all.
To Whom It May Concern 