Michael Laitman on the Times of Israel: “What Are the Main Challenges That Israel Faces Today?”
Several Kabbalistic sources emphasize the need for the people of Israel to unite like a family. Especially on tragic days, the truth of this message becomes apparent, and it is important to clarify that the family is not one of blood relations, but a family that transcends blood ties. It is about everyone coming to feel that the person standing beside them is part of the same family.

We all need to sense that we are parts of a single unified entity. When we achieve such unity, we not only overcome our apparent enemies outside of us, but more significantly, we rise over our internal enemy: the egoistic desires within us that constantly pull in the direction of detaching from others and using everyone and everything outside of us for the sake of personal benefit.

The idea of uniting above our egos when we are all individuals with different backgrounds, personalities and worldviews—including many that oppose and resist the others—can seem like an impossible task. However, we need to raise awareness that we can be victorious in bringing about a harmonious and peaceful life for all solely through the achievement of such unity. If we set aside our contradictions and differences, recognizing that we are one interconnected whole, then we can overcome our internal struggles, and by doing so, we will find that we have no more enemies outside of us.

A key stage in the development of the people of Israel was when we accepted upon ourselves the pact to stand “as one man with one heart” at the foot of Mount Sinai. We were faced with a life-and-death choice: “Either unite now or face dire consequences.” Today, we once again face a challenge of immense magnitude, and it is imperative for us to understand that we need to unite above all else.

We need to recognize that we play host to an egoistic inclination that constantly makes us want our own opinion to override everyone else’s. While this ego is indeed a problem, we should not try to subdue or eliminate it, because it is our very nature. On the contrary, together with recognizing its determinant force in drawing inwardly to ourselves, we need to develop a supportive and encouraging atmosphere around us where we raise the need to unite above our egoistic inclination as being of much greater importance, i.e., as a matter of life and death. If we fail to unite above our egoistic inclination and simply drift away with its divisive views and opinions, then we are bound to find ourselves again in situations where we suddenly awaken to an onslaught of enemies outside of us, similar to what we experienced in the tragic events of October 7, 2023.

Therefore, now that we are in the midst of a severe state of war, we need to deal with the situation at hand and also raise awareness of what can prevent such extreme states from materializing in the future. It all points to our need to unite above our divisions.

What steps should each of us take to achieve this unity? Simply put, we should each shift our focus away from ourselves and onto others. For instance, today there are several stories of selflessness that emerge from the frontlines, where people risk their own lives for the sake of other people. These acts demonstrate the inclination to rise above ourselves. When we hold a strong sense of the need to be there for one another in such a way, then we can unite and succeed. True success comes when we unite “as one man with one heart” above our divisive egoistic drives.
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Michael Laitman, on the Times of Israel: “What Are the Main Challenges That Israel Faces Today?”
Several Kabbalistic sources emphasize the need for the people of Israel to unite like a family. Especially on tragic days, the truth of this message becomes apparent, and it is important to clarify that the family is not one of blood relations, but a family that transcends blood ties. It is about everyone coming to feel that the person standing beside them is part of the same family.

We all need to sense that we are parts of a single unified entity. When we achieve such unity, we not only overcome our apparent enemies outside of us, but more significantly, we rise over our internal enemy: the egoistic desires within us that constantly pull in the direction of detaching from others and using everyone and everything outside of us for the sake of personal benefit.

The idea of uniting above our egos when we are all individuals with different backgrounds, personalities and worldviews—including many that oppose and resist the others—can seem like an impossible task. However, we need to raise awareness that we can be victorious in bringing about a harmonious and peaceful life for all solely through the achievement of such unity. If we set aside our contradictions and differences, recognizing that we are one interconnected whole, then we can overcome our internal struggles, and by doing so, we will find that we have no more enemies outside of us.

A key stage in the development of the people of Israel was when we accepted upon ourselves the pact to stand “as one man with one heart” at the foot of Mount Sinai. We were faced with a life-and-death choice: “Either unite now or face dire consequences.” Today, we once again face a challenge of immense magnitude, and it is imperative for us to understand that we need to unite above all else.

We need to recognize that we play host to an egoistic inclination that constantly makes us want our own opinion to override everyone else’s. While this ego is indeed a problem, we should not try to subdue or eliminate it, because it is our very nature. On the contrary, together with recognizing its determinant force in drawing inwardly to ourselves, we need to develop a supportive and encouraging atmosphere around us where we raise the need to unite above our egoistic inclination as being of much greater importance, i.e., as a matter of life and death. If we fail to unite above our egoistic inclination and simply drift away with its divisive views and opinions, then we are bound to find ourselves again in situations where we suddenly awaken to an onslaught of enemies outside of us, similar to what we experienced in the tragic events of October 7, 2023.

Therefore, now that we are in the midst of a severe state of war, we need to deal with the situation at hand and also raise awareness of what can prevent such extreme states from materializing in the future. It all points to our need to unite above our divisions.

What steps should each of us take to achieve this unity? Simply put, we should each shift our focus away from ourselves and onto others. For instance, today there are several stories of selflessness that emerge from the frontlines, where people risk their own lives for the sake of other people. These acts demonstrate the inclination to rise above ourselves. When we hold a strong sense of the need to be there for one another in such a way, then we can unite and succeed. True success comes when we unite “as one man with one heart” above our divisive egoistic drives.
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Michael Laitman, on the Times of Israel: “A Few Recent Posts in Connection to the Israel-Hamas War”

How Do You Explain the Need for Unity to Someone Who Is Locked on a Divisive Worldview That Continually Seeks to Justify One Side and Blame the Other?

I avoid pursuing such endeavors because it is a long process to prove something, if it is even possible at all, since there is an innate need in people to hold onto certain beliefs.

Nevertheless, no matter the outcome, it is worthwhile for all who are willing to hear about the need for unity, to calibrate themselves in a way where they understand that positive human connection is their sole source of strength. By directing such connection toward the idea that there is a single force of love and bestowal in reality, they place themselves at the center of creation.

They can then succeed, not by overpowering their opinion over others, but by showing that it is possible to achieve unity above all rivalries. More and more people will then open up to viewing unity above division as the ultimate solution to everyone’s problems.

What Should Israel Do to Ensure the Safety and Eventual Release of the Israeli Soldiers and Civilians Taken Hostage by Hamas?

Beyond the strategies and tactics, we should give the people taken hostage the confidence that we are coming to save them.

The hostages’ main task is to hold out. They should completely focus on that while we need to save them, and do everything in order to ensure their safe return home.

The Creator, the upper force of love and bestowal, is above this entire situation. We should all thus turn to the Creator, both us and the people taken hostage, so that the connection between us and the upper force will become tangible.

What Would be a Sign of Strength in Response to the Conflict in Israel?

In today’s world, strength is synonymous with unity. It is as simple as that: If we come together, then we draw into our connections the most powerful single, unique and unified force that exists in nature.

Anyone who has been listening to my lessons or reading my texts would know that I always talk about the need to unite in order to draw nature’s unifying force. It is because we need nothing else.

But what exactly do I mean by unity? Unity means that we should feel like we are there for each other. There is no room for slackers; we need to stick together.

You might recall the motto “One for all, all for one” from the Three Musketeers, a phrase many of us cherished in our childhood. If we ever appreciated this principle, it has since slipped away as life led us to a more self-centered “every man for himself” approach. Today’s blows, however, act as a serious lesson and reminder of the need for such unity.

We must have needed the recent tragic events to prompt us to unite. If we had been in a tendency to unite without them, then they would not have surfaced.

Now, in the wake of tragedy, the extent of our strength will depend completely on the extent of our unity. We need to come together, to support, encourage, care and be there for each other, advancing together against the forces that have arisen to divide and destroy us.

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Michael Laitman, on the Times of Israel: “How Should Israel Respond to International Threats?”
Beyond the necessary military response, there is a broader solution: we, the people of Israel, need to embrace peace, unity and mutual understanding among ourselves. With these qualities, we can resolve issues with our neighbors and, on a wider scale, bring about global harmony.

I have been emphasizing this need to unite for several years. It is the only way to reach a lasting solution to these problems.

The people of Israel are under immense external pressure because we are not fulfilling our role in contributing positively to the world. We are missing the point if we think that we contribute positively to the world in fields such as science, technology, medicine and innovation in general. Why? It is because those external exports are not the inner essence that the world ultimately needs from us.

What the world needs is for us to set an example of unity among ourselves as a top priority. If we continue with internal animosity, protests and other divisive behaviors, even to the point of harming each other, we will inevitably see the consequences reflected in the increasing hatred from other people and nations toward us.

The internal conflicts that intensified before the war contributed to the war itself and the behavior of those who attacked us. Therefore, our external problems are, at their core, a result of our inner conflicts.

We need to convince ourselves to love one another. As such, global tensions will ease, and the hatred toward us will disappear.
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Michael Laitman, On The Times of Israel: “Israel before vs. during the war”
Protests, political conflicts, street uproar and division among the people of Israel marked the situation before the war.

We need to combat our lack of unity. The issue is not differing party affiliations, varying viewpoints or demonstrations, but that we want to negate one another, which weakens everyone. It is perfectly okay to disagree and to argue, but we need to respect others and acknowledge their right to their own opinion.

Currently, during the war, the animosity seems to have mostly vanished among the people of Israel, and people stand together to provide mutual support. The mixed emotions of war have made us largely forget our hatred of each other. But we are far from distancing ourselves from the pre-war state, and we could return to it in a matter of just a few days.

A shared sorrow bonds us for the time being, but the hatred has gone nowhere. We see several heartwarming instances of mutual aid and selflessness, but they are merely the results of the blow we suffered. As soon as the external threat wanes, the internal animosity will resurface.

In order to reach genuine unity, we need to be willing to set aside our own interests and opinions in favor of uniting with one another. We are not there yet. Instead, we are in a state that Kabbalist Yehuda Ashlag (Baal HaSulam) describes as “brothers in misfortune.”

We see several instances of self-sacrifice, mutual support and contribution to society for the sake of defending the country. However, we must not deceive ourselves and think that we have achieved any special form of unity, as it is all happening due to the pressure of a shared tragedy. We cannot carry over such unity to a level of developing our unity in a correct, positive and genuine manner.

To achieve true unity, we need to start from scratch, free from external influences that compel us to unite. We need to initiate unity ourselves, aiming to live harmoniously, peacefully and happily, connected to one another, growing closer together and loving each other. This necessitates a shift in consciousness rather than external coercion.
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Michael Laitman, on the Times of Israel: “Hostages of Our Division”
Two American hostages, Judith and Natalie Raanan, a mother and her daughter originally from Illinois, who were captured by the Hamas terrorist group during its deadly attack on Israel this month were released last Friday. But still more than 200 hostages who were abducted and taken captive remain in Gaza. While we need to make all possible efforts to bring them back, we should also realize that it is ultimately the connection between us that protects us and will liberate us from peril and suffering.

I pray from the bottom of my heart for the well-being of the hostages and hope we will be able to get each and every person out safely. I send condolences to all the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to each of the wounded.

We need to make sure that such horrors will never happen again and look at this war as the last one. We cannot sit quietly and wait to be slaughtered, we need to defend ourselves. At the same time, we should not engage in an endless conflict, but aspire to reach the desirable solution in which we live in permanent peace. However, we will be unable to eradicate war until we first attain peace between ourselves.

It is enough to remember the recent protests and shouts echoing in the Israeli streets and squares right before this war to realize how hatred had filled and clogged our hearts; the demonstrations aimed to cancel the “other side” of our disputes, and this weakened us greatly. While there is no problem in expressing differing positions and getting into disputes, it is imperative to respect each other and always keep in the forefront of our minds that we are one people.

Right now our pain is so overwhelming that our resentments are restrained, but looking back in our history, it is clear that as soon as the external enemies are defeated, our hatred from within will break out once again. And once our separation becomes evident, it plays right into the hands of those wanting to exterminate us, as they perceive us as divided, weak, and vulnerable.

The Jewish people have one particular quality through which we will either rise or fall—it is the potential of becoming “as one man with one heart.” As long as we strive for mutual guarantee, for increasing unity, we evoke a positive force capable of gradually neutralizing hatred and leading us toward a future of peace.

First and foremost as Jews, we must be an example of cohesion, understanding, and mutual solidarity above differences, which will transform us into an enlightening force for the rest of the world. As expressed by Rav Kook, the first Chief Rabbi of Israel, “The genuine movement of the Israeli soul at its grandest is expressed only by its sacred, eternal force, which flows within its spirit. It is that which has made it, is making it, and will make it still a nation that stands as a light unto nations.”

Only our thoughts and actions directed toward unity will free us from war and will lead us to a state of calm and prosperity.
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Michael Laitman, on the Times of Israel: “Would You Sacrifice Yourself to Save Other People?”
Many people now contemplate this question as several stories emerge of self-sacrifice to save others in the current Israel-Hamas war.

For example, on the first day of the war, six surviving friends had told how Cpl. Matan Abergil saved their lives by jumping on them to absorb a grenade’s force that had been thrown into their armored personnel carrier. Also, Tali Hadad, a mother of six, drove back and forth to take 13 wounded people to the emergency medical center in Ofakim while the city was under attack.

What goes through the mind of these people putting their own lives on the line for the sake of others?

It is simply that they are doing the right thing. They view saving others as the good and correct action to take in that moment, and this view gives them the strength to carry it out.

It is impressive because it goes against our survival instinct. We do, however, host an inclination to put our own lives at risk for the sake of others. Instinctively, we are like animals—even though the animal kingdom possesses several examples of self-sacrifice to save other animals—but acts of self-sacrifice to save others show us that we have capabilities beyond our base survival instincts.

We should learn from these acts of bravery that it is simply how we have to relate to each other. Every person hosts such potential. It is the potential to completely devote ourselves for the sake of others. In order to create a society with strong unifying bonds, we need to awaken this potential in our hearts.

One of the problems now in Israel is that stories of bravery and self-sacrifice circulate at a time of emergency, but where is our appreciation of these qualities in our day-to-day lives? In calmer times, we brush over such stories in favor of a more divisive discourse, taking sides against each other.

Since unity above division brought us together as a nation to begin with, then nothing will help us until we realize—at all times—that we are in a constant state of emergency until we achieve, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” We need to reach a state where we constantly uphold positive connections of mutual support, care and love above all of our divisive inclinations. When we do, we will see the world’s conflicts subside as a new, harmonious and peaceful world opens up.
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Michael Laitman, on the Times of Israel: “How Can We Help the Families of Hostages in Gaza?”
Ultimately, what can help the families of the hostages, as well as the families and friends of the dead, the injured, and the hostages themselves, is the connection between us.

Why? It is because our connection draws us closer to the upper force, the Creator, i.e., the all-encompassing force of love, bestowal and connection that created and sustains us. We can then ask this force for forgiveness, correction, and afterward, to return us to the corrected state where we connect harmoniously and peacefully.

We need to ask for forgiveness in that we broke the conditions that the Creator placed before us, where instead of connecting above our divisions, we let our egoistic and divisive drives pit us up against each other leading up to the tragic events of October 7. We thus need to make a major self-introspection in this regard, to ask for forgiveness from everyone, and I very much hope that the Creator will forgive us.

Afterward, the correction that we need to ask for is so that the Creator will help us connect. It is because, again, leading up to the tragic events on October 7, there was so much hatred among the people of Israel that only the upper force can organize our relations in a way where they will switch to mutual support and care. The upper force did not organize our connections in a corrected manner beforehand because we had no request for positive connections. Instead, we let our divisions continually increase and expand the distance between us.

We need to reach a state where we ask for the Creator’s help to connect us above our divisive drives. If we reach a genuine request in that regard, then the Creator will respond accordingly.
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Michael Laitman, on the Times of Israel: “Global Support for Israel: Does it Strengthen or Weaken?”
Indeed, more than 80 countries expressed their support for Israel following the tragic events of the 7th of October, but as to whether such support encourages us, I’d have to say the contrary: it weakens us.
The strength and the future of the people of Israel does not depend on how others relate to us, but on how we relate to each other.

I do not feel any assurance from an upsurge of global support for Israel. We need to secure our future by ourselves through building relations of love, closeness and mutual consideration among each other. It is this construction of positive unifying relations that made us a nation in our very beginnings. We were originally not a nation, but a group of people who gathered under an idea to achieve love above our differences, and it was this form of connection that made us a nation. If we realize such attitudes to each other today, then no one will have any complaints against us.

Moreover, it is incorrect to think that the global support for Israel following the initial Hamas attacks on Israel’s civilians will help the world better understand and feel Israel’s side in the ongoing conflict. People can empathize with others when they can incorporate in their feelings, but the quality that made the people of Israel a nation is beyond our inborn nature, and thus nobody can incorporate in it. I thus also have no criticism on how people in the world relate to the people of Israel.

In order to truly receive a favorable response from the world, it is written, “When the Lord delivered them from Zion, it seemed like a dream. Then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them’” (Psalms 126:1-2). In other words, our unity draws a special force that comes to protect us, and when this force dwells in our connections, we draw a supportive response from the world.

We thus need to unite in a way where we are always there for each other. Such unification will draw a force that will protect us, and we need not be concerned about anything other than uniting and drawing this unifying force.
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Michael Laitman, on the Times of Israel: “What Triggered the Attack on Israel on October 7”
We, the people of Israel, are far from being united. Leading up to the tragic events on October 7, we seemed like anything but one nation. We made little effort to draw closer to one another, and we disregarded our fellow citizens. With each passing year, it feels like we drift further apart. And as a result, we must ask ourselves, can we truly be considered the nation of Israel?

In other nations that have histories of wars and internal strife, division might seem like a natural phenomenon. However, the people of Israel are different. We are a nation that earns its title only when we unite. When we remain divided, we cease to be a nation in the true sense. That is what being Israeli truly means, and specifically that point makes us unique.

Many people around the world often wonder about us, asking, “Who are the people of Israel?” They form distinct opinions about us, recognizing our unique status.

We willingly accepted the challenge of being a nation under specific conditions thousands of years ago, which remain relevant today. For us to be the nation of Israel, we must uphold the condition of uniting “as one man with one heart,” where “all of Israel are friends.” This requires an ongoing commitment to unity, a commitment that should only grow stronger with each passing year. Unfortunately, however, the reality is quite different.

Instead of growing closer together, we do the opposite. This past year in particular, Israel became an ugly spectacle of more and more people taking to the streets shouting slanderous and hateful vitriol upon one another.

Before the tragedy on October 7, there was significant division in Israeli society, and that is the crux of the issue. It is true that having multiple opinions is a well-known aspect of Jewishness, but we must rise above it. We can disagree in our views and still maintain a strong connection. The key is to have a constructive relationship alongside our differences, like a family, and uphold the unifying principle that initially brought us together as a nation: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Without this bond, we cannot truly be close, nor can we candidly consider ourselves a nation.
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