Together, forever

Picture a group of twelve people sent on a mission to scout out unfamiliar territory. Each of them is a leader, responsible for representing his unique community. You’d expect them to split up, cover more ground, and gather diverse perspectives. Instead, they stick together as one group the entire time, even carrying massive fruits that require teamwork. It sounds inefficient, right? So why did Moses insist on this seemingly counterproductive approach when he sent the spies to explore the Land of Israel?

At first glance, this strategy is puzzling. Spying is typically about blending in and staying discreet. A large group of foreigners wandering around together was bound to attract attention. On top of that, splitting up would have been far more practical. Each spy could have focused on his own tribe’s future territory, gathering detailed, localized insights. Also, had they been instructed to spread out and operate individually, they would have been able to take the necessary time to accomplish their mission, rather than having to end it quickly—miraculously having their journey shortened to a mere forty days.

So, what gives?

The key to understanding Moses’s decision lies in the deeper goal of their mission. This wasn’t just about reconnaissance, it was about instilling a sense of unity. These twelve individuals represented the entirety of the Jewish people, each bringing his tribe’s unique perspective, yet tasked with working together as one.

Unity isn’t just about getting along or avoiding conflict. It’s a greater recognition that, beneath our differences, we are all connected. Moses knew that this unity wasn’t just practical, it was spiritual. The Jewish people were about to enter the Promised Land, a place rich with diversity in its landscapes, climates, and potential. To succeed there, they would need to embrace their collective identity while respecting individual differences.

This unity reflects something even bigger: the oneness of G-d. The Torah teaches that the entire universe is a manifestation of G-d’s singularity. The diversity we see—the stars, the oceans, the people—are all part of one divine reality. Telling the spies to stick together symbolized this truth. It demonstrated that even as twelve distinct tribes, they were one people serving one G-d.

Fast forward to today. We live in a world that often feels anything but unified. People are divided by politics, religion, culture, and countless other lines. Yet, if you scratch beneath the surface, you’ll find that we share more than we think.

Science, for example, in recent decades started uncovering the interconnectedness of everything. The same laws of physics apply to galaxies billions of light-years away and to the tiniest particles on Earth.

And more recently, technology, the internet, and AI, have transformed the way we connect. We can reach across continents in seconds, sharing ideas, collaborating, and solving problems together. The internet showcases how interconnected we truly are, breaking down barriers and uniting humanity in ways unimaginable just a few decades ago. While emerging technology has its challenges, it also provides an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen our shared bonds and recognize the oneness at the foundation of all of creation.

This search for unity in the physical world mirrors the spiritual truth Moses was teaching the spies: everything comes from one source.

Unity doesn’t mean agreeing on everything or pretending our differences don’t exist. It means recognizing that those differences are part of a greater whole. Think about a family. Each member has their quirks and roles, but when they come together, they create something greater than the sum of their parts. The same is true for communities, nations, and humanity as a whole.

In the Jewish world, this message of unity is particularly powerful. When Jews come together, they reflect the ultimate unity of G-d. This collective harmony not only strengthens the Jewish people but also helps bring the world closer to redemption.

When we strive for unity, we bring the world closer to a time when this truth will be obvious to everyone. No matter how different we may seem, we’re stronger—and holier—together. This will lead to the Messianic era, a time when the entire world will recognize this divine unity. Every act of Jewish unity today hastens that day.