In a marriage, man and woman become one. The problems begin when they try to figure out which one.
The extraordinary unity we experienced as a result of the global crisis these past few months was awe-inspiring. People put personal interests aside to help and be there for others. But as our 'regular' life begins to emerge, we seem to be reverting back to disunity, resuming to our default, self-oriented behavior patterns.
How do we bottle this extraordinary unifying force and carry it into ordinary life?
The Temple's Menorah (discussed in this week's Torah portion) may shed some light on what it means to go about everyday life with a sense of unity. Two unique conditions were to be met in the construction and kindling of the Menorah: 1) The entire Menorah was carved out of one single chunk of gold (not welded parts). 2) The wicks and flames on the right and left branches were to lean toward the center.
When confronting a crisis, we draw energy from deep within, and we sense how at our core we are truly one, carved from the same stuff by our creator. That's powerful, but not enough.
It's when we emerge from that crisis, carrying our own distinctive 'torch', following our own unique path, reflecting our personality, talent, and strength. That's when we are reminded by the Menorah, that precisely now it's most critical to see ourselves as one part of a larger, diverse picture.
The distinct voices and personalities of diverse people join together to make one wholesome Menorah!