A Crossroads in Serving Hashem

A few months ago, I began to take an interest in Judaism and I am very eager to start observing the mitzvot. However, one thing greatly troubles me: why are there so many factions, sects, and methods within religious Judaism today? After all, the Jewish people are supposed to be united...

Methods and Streams in the Past

This question concerns many, and it is indeed a significant one. However, it is important to emphasize that this is not a new phenomenon. Even four thousand years ago, when our forefather Jacob had 12 sons, there were differences within the Jewish people, as Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev wrote: "Twelve tribes... each one served [Hashem] in their own way and measure" (Sefer Kedushat Levi for Shabbat Nachamu).

We find support for this at the end of the Book of Genesis, where we read that before his death, Jacob blessed each of his sons with a unique blessing, highlighting each tribe's special role. Moses did the same when he blessed the Children of Israel before his death (in Parshat V'zot HaBerachah), emphasizing the nature and style of each tribe. For example, the tribe of Issachar was meant to study Torah all day, while the tribe of Zebulun found satisfaction in combining Torah and work, supporting Torah from the profits. Moses blessed them saying: "Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys, and Issachar, in your tents."

The Sages teach (Bamidbar Rabbah, Parsha 2), that when the Israelites left Egypt and traveled in the desert, they requested flags. Upon the establishment of the Tabernacle, Hashem granted their request and gave each tribe its own flag, serving to symbolize and remind each tribe of its role and purpose in the world. For example, the flag of Zebulun displayed a ship, a hint to the trade they were involved in, while Judah's displayed a lion, recalling the might they were known for, and so on.

When the Jewish people entered the Land of Israel, they settled according to their tribes. Each tribe received a parcel of land suited to their role, and devoted themselves to serving Hashem in their own unique way.

In the Present

As time passed, due to our sins, the Temple was destroyed and the Jewish people were exiled from their land, leading to confusion and uncertainty concerning tribal identity. As a result, we can no longer identify our tribal affiliations (except for some Kohanim who have traditions of descending from the tribe of Levi). Instead, different approaches and movements have emerged in serving Hashem: some emphasize Torah study, others emphasize prayer, some find satisfaction in acts of kindness, and others engage in outreach. Even within study halls, different styles of learning can be found: some study in-depth, others prefer familiarity, some are drawn to halacha, others to ethics.

Hillel and Shammai, who lived during the time of the Tannaim, around 2,300 years ago, serve as examples of different approaches in serving Hashem. Both were noble figures, great in Israel, yet each took a different religious path. Hillel advocated for humility, while Shammai was known for his strictness. Rabbi Yisrael Salanter (Ohr Yisrael, essay 28) rejects the idea that Shammai's strictness was due to negative traits, explaining that it was a well-thought-out and beneficial strictness. The different approaches resulted in practical differences in many areas, such as the acceptance of converts and students into the study hall. Despite the differences, both approaches have holy roots, and the law was established that in this world, we follow the house of Hillel, and in the future, we will follow the house of Shammai.

As the generations progress, we find more and more diverse divisions, though it is impossible to cover even a small part of them here. In brief, Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov, of blessed memory, founded the "Chassidic movement" about three hundred years ago, which is akin to a tribe within Judaism. This movement itself split into dozens of Chassidic sects, each emphasizing a different aspect of serving Hashem. Similarly, Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, of blessed memory, who lived about 50 years later, founded a new movement called the "Musar movement," which itself split into three main groups: "Kelm," "Slabodka," and "Novardok," each focusing on different aspects of Torah observance and mitzvot.

All Are Beloved

The question arises: wouldn't it be better if everyone served Hashem in the same way?

Absolutely not. Before Adam's sin, Adam encompassed within him all colors and sects, thanks to his wide heart and mind that could encompass everything at once. However, after Adam sinned, the world descended in level, and spiritual struggles became more difficult. Therefore, Hashem divided Adam's soul into 12 tribes, with later extensions to 600,000 souls, each receiving different roles and unique tools (character traits, abilities, etc.) to accomplish these roles.

When everyone fulfills their role and purpose, a complete mosaic of honoring Hashem is created in the world. The different styles complement each other, together crafting a wonderful spiritual complex, which creates the crown of the King of Kings - akin to a king's crown, whose beauty depends on the multitude of different stones and jewels.

Sefer Kedushat Levi compares this to the color white, which, as is known, results from the combination of all colors together. Each group of Jews is likened to a specific shade, and when each one serves Hashem in their own way, all the shades combine, resulting in the pure white color.

The Ari Z"l says something wonderful: in heaven, there are 12 windows corresponding to the 12 tribes, and the prayers of each tribe ascend through its unique gate. This serves as proof that each tribe has a different role in serving Hashem, and each role is necessary and needed.

Respect the Different

With all that has been said, it is necessary to recognize the great danger in dividing the Jewish people into tribes and groups: the danger of disputes and opposition between these groups. Jewish history points to arguments and disagreements that have formed between various streams due to their differences. One famous example is the dispute between Joseph and his brothers. It is explained that the dispute stemmed from ideological differences regarding the correct way to serve Hashem.

Our duty is to understand that each person has a different role and to respect their style. We must understand that if our desire is to bring honor to Hashem in the world, then we must encourage and rejoice in the different styles, not oppose them, for it is only in this way that we can serve Hashem completely.

It is told of Rabbi Aharon of Belz, of blessed memory, who emphasized the beautification of mitzvot, with particular emphasis on the mitzvah of lighting Chanukah candles. He would spend hours rolling the wicks for Chanukah candles, with various intentions in mind, and the candle lighting would take hours. Once, Rabbi Aharon instructed his followers to go to the house of Rabbi Chaim Shmulevitz, head of the Mir Yeshiva, to observe how he lights Chanukah candles. When the disciples arrived at Rabbi Chaim's home, they discovered a completely different practice: Rabbi Chaim sat and learned with a study partner until the last moment before lighting, then stood, blessed the lighting, lit the candles, and immediately returned to Torah study. Disappointed, the disciples returned to the Rebbe and said there was nothing to see. The Rebbe responded: "That is why I sent you! I wanted you to see that there are other ways to serve Hashem..."

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (Sefer Likutei Etzot Hameshulash) says about this: "...for every individual in Israel, as per his origin and his deeds, thus is his truth, and from this derive the many changes between one and another, even among the righteous and upright, for one prays at length, another swiftly, etc., and many other such variations in prayer and service between one and his fellow without number... Even though they both intend truthfully, as our Rabbis said, 'Whether one does more or less, provided he directs his heart to heaven' (Berachot 5), although both intend truth, yet each one's truth differs. Therefore, one must not look upon his fellow unfavorably, even if it seems to him, according to his truth, that his fellow does not behave truthfully or pray truthfully, for who knows the truth of his friend..."

Disclaimer

Despite all that has been said above, it must be emphasized that not every path in serving Hashem is suitable. Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky questions why Hashem granted the Israelites flags only after the establishment of the Tabernacle, and not immediately when requested.

His wonderful answer (in our language) is that because the division into different roles indeed has many dangers of deviation to unworthy paths, Hashem wanted to emphasize to Israel that a unique path in Judaism can be chosen and shaped only when surrounding the Tabernacle, and directing actions towards it! The practical meaning is that all the different styles in serving Hashem must have a common basic root of Torah study, uncompromising observance of halacha, and meticulousness in all spiritual values. Differences between sects or religious methods can only be in terms of which areas to emphasize more, and how much time and energy should be invested in each area.

How to Choose My Way?

During the exile, the Jewish people spread among the nations, developing different styles of serving Hashem according to countries of origin. These differences even include variations in prayer texts. The Ari Z"l says, perhaps Hashem caused a particular custom to take root in a certain community because that is the form of serving Hashem appropriate to the tribe from which they descend, hence his conclusion that everyone should hold to the customs of their ancestors.

Additionally, each person should be attentive to their heart's inclination, follow the guidance of their mentors, and constantly ensure their path is based on Torah and halacha.

May it be Hashem's will that we merit soon to see the fulfillment of the prophecy said of the days of the Messiah: "Thus says the Lord Hashem, behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the nations... and I will make them one nation in the land... and there shall be one king to them all, and they shall no longer be two nations..." (Ezekiel, Chapter 37).