In a normal year, the Nine Days period is filled with reflection over the current state of interpersonal relationships. The primary reason for the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash was sin’as chinam, or baseless hatred. This year, however, global Jewish population is more united than I’ve seen in my lifetime. Obviously, this has everything to do with the events of October 7 and the subsequent wars Israel is fighting, and the increase in anti-Semitic rhetoric on college campuses and on streets all around the world. While we may be worried about what is to come, our unity as a nation is strong.