Studies show that when a person is alone, they tend to think before they act. But when they are part of a crowd, they’re much more likely to go with the flow.
One might wonder, why is that?
Why would someone feel one way while alone and another way when with others?
Can someone truly be themselves while in a crowd?
Does a person need to lose their identity when becoming part of something greater?
We can appreciate our place in a crowd by looking at it from two seemingly opposite perspectives.
First, a crowd can function as a single unit. In this kind of group, people set aside their individual differences and act as one. The unity comes from a shared purpose and a sense of belonging to something greater than themselves. For example, the military, where everyone is dressed alike, moving in perfect sync, and following the same commands. The strength of the crowd comes from its cohesion and discipline.
But there’s another kind of crowd, one made up of individuals, each with their own identity, voice, and perspective. On the surface, it may seem less unified, perhaps even chaotic. But in reality, every person who joins contributes something unique, making the group stronger. Think of shul, where community members come together to voice different opinions and find shared solutions. The greater the turnout, the greater the impact. The power here lies in diversity and authentic contribution.
Both types of crowds can be powerful. One draws strength from sameness, the other from individuality. And Judaism teaches us that we’re meant to incorporate both of these ideas into our life.
Where do we learn this idea from? In this week’s Torah portion.
We read about the Korban Pesach, the Pascal offering, that was offered in the desert the first year after leaving Egypt. The day was Shabbat, a detail that holds a powerful message.
According to halacha, communal offerings may be brought on Shabbat, but private offerings may not. So how does the Korban Pesach work? On the one hand, it was a personal obligation, since each individual Jew was required to participate. On the other hand, it had to be offered as part of a group.
This unique dynamics of this offering, being a private yet communal offering, reflects both forms of unity: standing together as one while also maintaining personal responsibility. We learn this from the very moment that we celebrate our becoming a nation. On Passover.
This dual perspective is foundational to being Jewish. We are meant to be part of something larger than ourselves, yet not to lose our individual identity or sense of purpose. It’s not either-or. It’s both.
As Hillel said in Pirkei Avot:
“If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I?”
Let’s bring our best to the world—as part of a community and as individuals.
Shabbat Shalom