The striking of a tragedy can be cause for uniting us or for separating us. As we have seen during this pandemic, at times people put aside personal differences to support the health and well-being of everyone. At other moments, this pandemic further divided us as a society.
We read a beautiful example of coming together in the face of tragedy as Isaac and Ishmael bury their father, Abraham. Ishmael was cast out by Abraham and Isaac, though the younger son, inherited everything from Abraham. Isaac, himself, was nearly sacrificed by Abraham. The Torah omits any details of how they felt about each other, but I cannot imagine it was an easy relationship. Yet, they were present for each other and their father as he died.
What has prevented you from connecting with someone you once cared for? What have you felt when you reconciled with someone?