It’s a natural way to think, inbred and for good reason.
Each person’s responsibility begins with themselves. It’s instinctive, ensuring survival.
But like gears in a car, getting stuck in first gear will only get you so far. True achievement and development requires going beyond yourself, transitioning from the “I” to the “US”.
As the circle widens, it gets less and less about the direct benefits to one’s self and more about the collective. As a “member of the tribe”, this is an essential and existential concept. One that is threaded through our heritage and culture and for good reason.
In this week’s Torah portion just as the Jewish nation is about to enter the land of Israel, two and a half tribes approach Moses stating that they’d prefer to stay of the eastern side of the Jordan — thus preferring “not” to enter the Land of Israel with their brethren.
Astonishingly, Moses response centered on the affect their decision would have on the greater Jewish nation rather than on admonishing them for not wanting to go into The Land, that was part of the Biblical promise. Not going into the land perhaps one could rationalize— bringing weakness and equivocation to the entire nation—was a non starter. Indeed, they commit to assisting their brethren and then going back to their preferred state on the eastern bank of the Jordan.
In other words, Moses confronted them on their focusing on their own benefit and preference without taking into account— both the psychological effect and the practical assistance of numbers— that their involvement made.
The oft chanted phrase Am Yisrael Chai rings with such impenetrable strength specifically because it’s a proclamation of, “The Nation of Israel”. The “US” comprised of many “I’s.
To be sure it’s not always the easiest balance and at times it comes with personal sacrifice but at the end of the day —focusing on the “US” creates the greatest “I”. A win win for all and as a result we are here to tell the tale and will be so for eternity - Am Yisrael Chai!!
With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom!