There was once a wise old man who had several sons. These sons quarreled incessantly, each one convinced that his perspective was the only correct one. Their constant bickering filled the household with tension and strife.
One day, the old man decided to teach them a valuable lesson. He called his sons together and, with a serious expression, handed each one a single twig. “Break the twig,” he instructed. The sons, puzzled but obedient, each snapped their twigs with ease.
The old man nodded, then gathered a bundle of twigs and tied them together with a sturdy cord. He handed the bundle to the eldest son. “Now, break this,” he said. The son strained and struggled, but the bundle remained intact. One by one, each son tried and failed to break the bundle of twigs.
The old man smiled gently and said, “Individually, you are like these twigs—easily broken. But together, you are strong and unbreakable.”
This ancient fable fits beautifully with the message found in Deuteronomy 1:12, a verse read on the Sabbath before the 9th of Av. In this verse, Moses laments:
According to Nachmanides, Moses was reflecting on the immense responsibility of leading and judging a growing nation. This is a reference to Exodus 18, where Moses’ father-in-law Jethro advised him to appoint others to help him judge the people, rather than doing it alone. However, the medieval commentator Rashi interprets this verse differently. Rashi suggests that Moses was expressing frustration with the people’s quarrelsome nature, characterizing them as “troublesome” and “contentious.”
Based on Rashi’s interpretation, Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Rimon offers a poignant reflection on this verse in light of the time of year during which it is read. As we approach the 9th of Av, a day marked by the sorrow of the Temple’s destruction—a catastrophe attributed to baseless hatred—we are reminded of the destructive power of internal conflict. Rabbi Rimon urges us to transcend the petty disputes and divisive arguments that fragment our communities. Instead, we should strive for unity, understanding that our collective strength is necessary to achieve great things, including the ultimate redemption and the rebuilding of the Temple.
Over the past year, we have witnessed quarreling, infighting and divisiveness that have only served to weaken our social fabric. These divisions mirror the “troublesome” and “contentious” nature of the children of Israel that Moses lamented. To move forward, we must heed the lesson of the man in the fable and the teachings of our sages: our strength lies in unity. Only by setting aside our differences and working together can we hope to accomplish our most significant goals.
As we reflect on Moses’ words and the destruction commemorated on the 9th of Av, let us resolve to abandon our quarrels and embrace unity. By doing so, we not only honor our past but also pave the way for a brighter, more cohesive future. Let us become a bundle of unbreakable twigs, strong and resilient, ready to rebuild and achieve the blessings that await us.
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