“If one Jew is exiled to one distant land, and another to yet a more distant land, I consider it as though all of you were exiled to each of those lands.” (Midrash Rabba, Song of Songs)

Why is it so crucial that no Jew be left behind?

And why did we have to be exiled to every corner of the world?

Because that was the purpose of our exile: That a Jew be pushed far away, only in order to discover the most precious sparks of the divine hidden in those distant places—in their customs, in their culture, and through the lessons of life to be learned there.

And the collective Jewish soul insists that we return with all the crown jewels.