Hi,
So the Super Bowl is history!
I don’t know if you’re happy, thrilled or indifferent.
(Or if you’re just happy to have your spouse back!)
… I wanted to share a message that I gave to a Bar Mitzvah boy Saturday night.
I think it has something to say to all of us. Especially if we’re parents.
“Shlomo.
Tomorrow afternoon, millions of people around the world will be doing the same thing.
Watching the Super Bowl!
While reasonable people can disagree about how central it should be in our lives?
There’s one thing that really bothers me.
Millions of kids will not just be watching a football game. Not just cheering like crazy.
They will be watching their role models!
And from a Jewish perspective, that’s very sad!
Because great athletes are great athletes.
But role models should be great people.
People of virtue!
… I saw an article about the official “Super Bowl Football”.
“It’s made by hand from genuine leather hides.
The traditional method of production goes back six decades.
These footballs are destined for immortalization.
Millions of people will watch as it is kicked and passed”…
“Shlomo, it got me thinking.
The Jewish People have been working with leather hides for a lot longer than 60 years!
How about 3000 years!
We’ve made the leather into Torah scrolls. Infused it with spirituality.
And the Torah has given us real heroes.
Great men and women who changed the world.
And “ordinary” people who made the world a little better.
And it did more.
The Torah taught us right and wrong.
And gave us the tools to improve ourselves. To become better people.”
… So I gave the Bar Mitzvah boy a charge.
“Shlomo. You are blessed to have parents and grandparents who love Torah!
And while the “official football” is kicked and passed”?
In your family, the Torah has been kissed.
And has been passed on from generation to generation.
While “immortalization” is kind of “much” for a football.
It’s not for the Torah!
… Take that Torah, Shlomo.
And run with it!
Nothing will be able to “bring you down”!
And 3000 years of Jewish history will cheer you on!
All the best,