When we here in Israel soon gather for the Tishrei holidays and examine the past Hebrew calendar year’s deeds, including interpersonal relationships, we’ll most likely focus on our familiar – Jewish – environs. There are good reasons why we should also do so vis-à-vis non-Jewish Israelis.

The High Holidays Amida prayer shows the way. Conservative Movement wording translates the relevant passage as “may all humanity form a single fellowship to do Your will with a whole heart,” while one prominently recognized Orthodox translation uses the term “single society.” The point is the same: we need to strive for unity that is broad – not just with those who are like us – while working toward common goals.

Succot, on which we are commanded to welcome guests – Ushpizin – particularly focuses our attention on this universal message. Abraham, father of our people and guest number one to the Sukkah, serves as our ultimate role model in the importance of making strangers feel welcome.

In our current events reality, I’m of course referring primarily to Israel’s Arab citizens when I say “strangers” (I’m fine with Tanach’s contextual meaning of the word: minorities).  To better understand why we should take a step toward them, it’s enough to have a glance at the government’s five-year plan for advancing the Arab community’s........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)