Does it really make a difference if I go to a rally in support of Israel? The obvious purpose of a rally is to show the world that we care. We will not be silent while so many rally behind Hamas (or rally behind the Palestinians, as they would rather put it). However, there is a deeper and perhaps more powerful function to a rally.

It is no secret that Jews have their differences. The Maharal notes that the Jews have a tendency towards internal machlokes (discord). From our very beginning we were known as a stiff necked nation. Any time that we have an opportunity to bring our people together and for but a brief moment put aside our differences this moment should be seized. Therein lies one facet to the power of a rally. When our forefather Jacob is on his deathbed he calls his children to his side and utters the words – he’asfu v’agidu lachem – “come together and I will tell you.” The Chassidic Rebbe, R. Yisroel of Rizhin interprets this verse as “when you are bound together, then my message can stay with you.” The Jews, through the Torah, have brought the world many important messages – but we tend to hear them best and share them best when we can take advantage of our unifying moments.