Sukkah and Lulav - Two Forms of Unity - וזאת הברכה

Sukkah and Lulav - Two Forms of Unity 

In the final portion of the Torah, as an introduction to the individual blessing to each tribe, a blessing which reflects each tribe’s unique spiritual mission, destiny, and portion of the land of Israel, Moses emphasizes the critical importance of unity: 

And He was King in Jeshurun , whenever the sum total of the people were gathered, and the tribes of Israel were together. (Deuteronomy 33:5)

Rashi explains the connection of the two clauses of the verse. G-d is the king of the people only when all tribes are united: 

When Israel is gathered together in a unified group, and there is peace among them, God is their King - but not when there is strife among them. 

There are two forms of unity, which are reflected in this verse, as well as in the holiday of Sukkot. The first is a unity that is based upon the commonality between people. The common denominator may be that we are all created in the image of G-d, all part of one people, and share a common history, a set of values, a mission, and a purpose.

This form of unity is the theme of the commandment to dwell in the Sukkah for seven days. The Talmud stated that "it is fitting that the entire people of Israel dwell in a single sukkah." for the Sukkah surrounds everyone in its embrace, ignoring the differences between people. This first form of unity is expressed in the verse “when the sum total of the people are gathered”, the “sum total” focuses on the similarity of the people being counted. 

The second form of unity is one that specifically incorporates the differences between people. We unite in a group specifically because we realize that each individual has a unique set of talents, a unique perspective, and personality. The differences between people are in fact a cause of unity, when we realize that we are interdependent and interconnected. That it takes many divergent components to create a sophisticated and advanced organism. This second form of unity is the theme of the commandment to shake the four kinds, to take four divergent species, each with its particular characteristic, and unite them as one.

While the differences between people must be ignored in order to cultivate unity based on commonality, it is particularly the differences that contribute to and intensify the second form of unity, where we are enhanced by our differences. 

Before Moses blessed each individual tribe, Moses taught us to understand that we must not be threatened by our differences, on the contrary, only when there are twelve unique tribes, can we reach a deeper level of unity, causing G-d to be our king.