For the last three years, I have hosted the podcast, Rabbi On The Sidelines, speaking about the intersection of sports and faith with athletes, coaches, team owners, and fans.
Just this week, I interviewed Ohad Poraz from the organization Brothers For Life, created by Israeli injured soldiers to support other injured soldiers. Ohad told me the importance that sports plays in the emotional and physical recovery of the soldiers journeys. Just hours later, we all read the news of the Amsterdam pogrom, on the eve of Kristillnacht, 86 years later, where Israelis were systematically attacked as they exited the stadium cheering on the Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team.
Not at a synagogue, not at a Jewish school, not at a Jewish organization, but a pogrom in Europe at a sporting event, a recreational activity where differences are supposed to disappear and the common language of sports prevails.
The Rabbinate of Israel went so far as to allow El Al airplanes to fly on Shabbat in order to remove Israeli citizens from danger.
This week we learn in Lech L’cha that thousands of years ago, Abraham was sent on a journey, a self-reflective journey that he did not know where it would lead.
What we do know is his journey was only the beginning of what ultimately is our journey.
What makes Abraham so unique?
For the first three parshiyot, from Adam and Eve to Cain and Abel to Noah and the Ark, the theme is, “I.” It is about taking for themselves.
In sports, one of the first thing we learn is, “There is no I in team.” That is what Abraham learned. His journey was about what he could do for others.
Once again, we feel like we have taken a step backwards. Yet, once again, we as Jews are always stronger together, we will not focus on I but put our emphasis on us, so tomorrow can be better than today.
Shabbat Shalom
