Ki Tisa - Unity as a Path to Divine Connection

If you look carefully at the words Eliyahu uses to address the people on Har HaCarmel, you will notice something interesting. Rather than evoke the name of the G-d of Avraham, the G-d of Yitzchok and the G-d of Yaakov, he refers to Hashem as the G-d of Avraham, Yitzchok and Yaakov. The midrash in Bereishis Rabba shares that Eliyahu understood how far the people had spiritually fallen. Had he described Hashem as the G-d of Avraham, the G-d of Yitzchok and the G-d of Yaakov, they would have thought that there were three Gods.  

Reflecting on this midrash, it is overwhelming to think that the people were so far they they would have misunderstood Eliyahu’s words and intention. But Eliyahu went farther, recognizing the spiritual distance that he had to traverse. He built a mizbeach out of twelve stones, representing the twelve shevatim. If Hashem would not respond in the merit of the three forefathers, then at least the merit of the twelve tribes would evoke mercy.  

But weren’t the people divided into the two kingdoms? At that time, the people did not function as a whole but rather the Kingdom of Yehuda comprising Shevet Yehuda, Binyamin and Levi and the Kingdom of Israel included the rest of the tribes.  

Perhaps this was the message to the people. As spiritually distanced as they were from Hashem, Eliyahu reminds them of the remarkable value of the unity of the people. To be one people, each person must overlook his or her own desires, opinions and needs. Joining together suggests that there is a recognition of a greater cause or a greater good. This in turn leads to an appreciation of the Ultimate Unifier - Hashem. In these challenging times we must unite as one with our brothers and sisters. This achdus will then bring us closer to Hashem, culminating in a united people serving Him in a rebuilt Beis Hamikdash - may it be speedily in our days.