While the Jewish people make up 0.2% of the global population, within that percentage is a diverse, multiheritage, varied group. The jokes about Jewish disagreements abound: Two Jews, three opinions. Another famous one: There is one Jew on an island and two synagogues — The one he attends and the one he won’t set foot in. The Torah teaches that from the moment of receiving the Torah, our conception as a Jewish people is marked by division. This tribe goes with this flag, this tribe with another and so on. However, division does not necessarily mean disunity.

The Shnei Luchot HaBerit, a 17th-century mystical work cites Isaac Luria’s commentary on this verse. Luria explains that the flags in the camps are similar to what he sees in his own time. The Arizal explains, “Jewish people are made up of four ‘classes,’ each one observing their own respective customs.” Luria was referring to the Sephardim, Ashkenazim, Catalonians, and Italians. He comments, “Each group remains loyal to the customs handed down by its ancestors, and each set of customs is valued equally in the eyes of God.”

Whether it is on Pico Blvd or Broadway — peek into any shul and you will see a myriad of Jewish customs. While we may eat different food on Shabbat and holidays, the essence and values we uphold are the same. In God’s eyes, we add beauty and depth through our diversity.

Perhaps one day, we will follow God’s example and see holy merit in our differences.