Arthur Brooks, in his book “Love Your Enemies,” speaks of the difference between bonding and bridging. Bonding is surrounding ourselves with only like minded people who have opinions no different than the ones we hold. Bridging is sharing your story in a manner in which the other side needs each other to survive. While bonding may be the safe bet, bridging creates progress.
This is an age old lesson found in our parsha of Korach, who may appear to have a valid complaint against leadership, but goes the way of bonding over bridging.
On this weekend of July 4th, as we celebrate the freedoms of the United States of America, may we remember the sacred work we must continue to participate in—so that bonds will come with bridges, from sea to shining sea.
