That’s me in the above picture, right after losing a fencing bout. If I indeed emerged un-victorious as I claim, many of you might be wondering why I’m smiling in the picture. Well, it was a momentous occasion for me: it was only my third ever bout in competition yet I managed to score three points off of their number-two starter.
Why do I bring this up? Because when I first joined the fencing team, some people started harassing me by asking if I had anything better to do with my time. Now, I understand where they were coming from considering that practice takes up four precious hours of my week.
However, my response was simple: it depends how one defines better. Meaning, I enjoy fencing tremendously, I get a good work out through both footwork drills and fencing proper (which also makes my mom happy), I get credit for it - an easy A for my GPA, I take pride in the fact that I’m improving (self-esteem can always use improvement), and it motivates me and inspires me to do and be the best that I can. But yes, perhaps saving lives would be better in the long run.
Many responded to this that they were sorry and had simply assumed that fencing was purely an extracurricular activity that drained hours upon hours from my schedule. I feel that a response is necessary to such a comment.
The more I think about it, save for the first, all of the reasons listed above that explain how fencing is not purely an extracurricular activity are unnecessary; the mere fact that I enjoy fencing should suffice. Meaning, why must I justify enjoying myself and having a good time? I don’t recall the Torah saying that it's assur to enjoy one’s self (within the confines of halakha, of course); to the contrary! It says in Tehillim 100:2, “ivdu et Hashem b’simcha” – serve Hashem with joy! Tell me, Must I also justify playing piano? After all, it is bitul torah?!?!
It seems to me that in modern times (meaning the right-wing shift of orthodoxy) it has become the norm to bash anything that isn’t seen as explicitly “productive.” Why don’t some people start realizing that mental health is important too and that it’s important to enjoy life? Obviously, of course, different people enjoy life differently: some by reading books and expanding their knowledge; others through touring and seeing the marvelous creations of God; others by spending time in the park with their family. To each his own.
The point that I’m trying to make is that our purpose on earth is to serve Hashem and live by the Torah. As such, the Torah commands us to live by the mitzvot, “V’Chai Bahem” (Vayikra 18:5); here’s what I think – a person should do whatever best helps him be the best Jew that he can be. Whether that means going to the movies to chill out, playing sudoku, or even fencing, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that people need chilling outlets and that mental health is very important. Let’s start acknowledging this fact and stop giving people a hard time for having a good time.
(By the way, for anyone who is interested, I won my first match this past sunday against a guy from William & Mary! Yes!)
18 comments:
thank you so much!!!!
i hear all the time from the very right wing people that anything other than learning torah is bitul torah when, as you said, the exact opposite is true!
BARUCH HASHEM!
May i ask where your kippah is???
"thank you so much!!!!"
No problem.
It's the sad reality, in my opinion, that people need to make these statements; they should be self-evident.
Thanks for commenting!
"May i ask where your kippah is???"
Yeah - it's on my head, right where God can see it. Would you like to know what type of kippah I wear as well?
Come to think of it, you're probably referring to the picture and not my yiras Hashem, in which case I suggest that you think about it some more...it shouldn't be too difficult to figure out.
Bottom line is you're not wearing a kippah in the picture and that clearly says to all the world, especially William and Mary, that you don't fear God. God needs to be with you especially on the fencing floor!
1. It would be greatly appreciated if you did not comment under the alias, "anonymous." Please choose a nickname. Thanks
2. Wearing a kippah has nothing to do with making impressions on other people. It is solely for our own benefit and use. Its source in the gemara (Kiddushin 31a) says that the purpose of wearing a kippah is to keep ourselves cognizant of God at all times. It has nothing to do with making a fashion statement or saying to the world, "Hey everyone - look how frum I am! I wear a kippah!" So good try.
3. That picture is from when I lost to Vassar, not William and Mary.
Ahh!! But you still didn't tell me why you're not wearing a kippah ... I just wanna know why you wouldn't wear a kippah while fencing!!
Because the kippah moves around and falls in front of my eyes - I know this from experience: I've tried wearing it.
But I guess that's how you'd want me to fight - eyes closed with faith in God that I'll win, right?
Haha you're a funny one Tzvi. I understand i was just giving you a hard time
"Haha you're a funny one Tzvi."
Thanks. I try.
lol u two, what would i do wthout you, btw i posted that first post! (yaaa first post woooo)
I think that you are making an assumption when you say "the right-wing" makes assumptions etc... How can you speak for everyone within a community? Especially when you speak of the "right wingers" of Orthodoxy, one that is so vague. It is not realistic to say as such.
eh February 5, 2008 1:36 PM
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I never said anything about the "right-wing" faction of Orthodox Jewry. I was merely commenting on the right-wing shift of Orthodoxy as a whole (kids going to yeshivot in Israel have a lot to do with this). I was not, however, speaking for everyone within a specific community.
Either way, you're focusing on a trivial point as opposed to the main issue at hand. Overall, do you disagree with the post?
I don't disagree with your post, but when it says "ivdu et Hashem besimcha" I dont think that is proof that you should enjoy life, rather it means when you serve Hashem you should do it happily, unless you consider fencing to be avodat hashem.
This is a farce
"when it says "ivdu et Hashem besimcha" I dont think that is proof that you should enjoy life, rather it means when you serve Hashem you should do it happily, unless you consider fencing to be avodat hashem."
yoni W February 11, 2008 5:45 PM
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Yoni - thanks for your comment. Here's what I would say: If one views all of his actions in life as those done in the service of God, then in fact yes, fencing, and everything else, is avodat Hashem and by extension applicable under "ivdu et Hashem besimcha".
"This is a farce"
gustavis p. riggs February 14, 2008 6:20 PM
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Care to explain?
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