Finding ourselves in the midst of the holiday season, family dynamics tend to take on greater prominence than during the rest of the year. Tension grows as excitement grows. Anticipation of family reunions, and the revisiting of longstanding (and sometimes strained) relationships raises the level of anxiety for many people. Sometimes the emotional and social exiles we experience from one another are the result of an act of God (as Ezekiel sees it-some event for which no one can claim responsibility), and sometimes they are the result of an act of a person (as in the case of Joseph and his brothers-some careless or intentional act that leaves us hurt, angry and resentful). Sometimes, we can't even remember what started the whole uncomfortable dynamic, but we can't imagine freeing ourselves of it!

It would be wonderful if we could write our names on stick, hold them together, and cure all that separates us. But that's not the way it works. Ezekiel's vision, however, does offer us some guidance. With one God, with one mission, with one sense of direction, we are made whole despite our differences. We don't need to agree on all things to be one people. In fact, according to our sages, when two sides argue over an issue, and each side is truly dedicated to serving God in their position, the argument is worthy of being preserved! Such disagreements, however, are not meant to divide us. They are meant to bring us closer because of the passion and dedication we see in each other. Imagine how different our political or religious discourse would look, both in Israel and here in the United States, if members of every party or movement trusted that their opponents' sole interest was the serving of the greater good. Perhaps compromise would more easily be reached if we didn't have such a terrible track record of self-interest; perhaps more common ground would be explored. Within our own family structures, imagine how much better we would get along if we forgave insult, if we believed that we all want to be loved and accepted, if we opened the door to reconciliation and allowed two to dwell as one for a while.

I can't promise that God is going to bring about reconciliation and unification to the north and the south, the secular and the religious, the Republican and the Democrat. But I know that I can open the door, just in case.

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