When Haman approached King Achashverosh to give him the “final solution” for the Jewish nation, he starts the conversation by stating to King Achashverosh, “There is a certain people, scattered and dispersed among the other peoples in all the provinces” (Megillat Esther 3:8).

Hacham Chaim Yosef David Azoulay in his book Cochmat Anach explains that the goal of the Jewish nation is to be united, and that is the secret of their existence. Furthermore, he writes that Haman said to Achashversoh that even in cities where Jews are living in the same area, they despise each other.

Haman understands that when Jews are disunited, they are vulnerable.

When God found out about Haman’s plan, he found a way to unite the Jews by bringing upon them Haman’s decree, thus causing the Jews to unite in prayer and fast.

In order to repair the disunity that existed at Purim’s time, our rabbis commanded us to do four mitzvot that unite us.

Sending portions of food to fellow Jews, eating a seudah with family and friends, giving money to poor people and reading the megillah are mitzvot that unite us and bring us closer together.

Unity is something that transcends our differences or backgrounds. It is something that is profound and pure.

Rav Yosef Messas, the late chief rabbi of Haifa, in his book Otzar Hamichtavim (letter 1657) was asked how to approach non-observant Jews.

His answer is both simple on the one hand but deep on the other hand.

He writes that we have to treat them with derech eretz, politeness and respect, to greet them with pleasant countenance.

If you see a Jew doing a mitzvah, express your happiness. However, when you see a Jew who is doing any misdeed, do not abandon him, because human nature is to sin.

Rav Messas concludes that even in someone’s home, a person should not be too meticulous with his family because that will create strife.

The main thing that a person should concentrate on is being happy.

As we are approaching Purim, let us all take Rav Messas’s advice and through that unite, thus creating a weapon that will protect us from our enemies.

Rabbi Ilan Acoca is the spiritual leader of the Sephardic Congregation of Fort Lee.