Bend to Blend
The word עַּם, meaning “nation” or “people,” is related to the word עִּם, meaning “with.” This connection reflects a fundamental idea about what makes a nation: people living with one another, bound together by a sense of unity and fellowship.
True unity requires humility. If everyone insists on their firm position, being rigid and inflexible, there can be no genuine עַּם. To become part of a community, a person must sometimes dim his own prominence and make room for others.
This is alluded to in the word עַּם, as it is connected to the word עוממות, dimmed or subdued.⁹ An עַּם is created when individuals learn to live עִּם, with one another. That requires each person to לְּעַּמְּעֵם, to step back and make room for others. **************************************