Rabbi Dovid S. Polter, Community Chaplain
Baseball - Kids’ Stuff
As our grand and great-grandchildren are enjoying their summers in camp and school programs, baseball is surely on many their lists of exciting activities. Here is a positive life lesson we can learn from baseball and pass on to our families:
A young schoolboy stood before a great sage better known as the Rebbe, one day in 1954, to receive a blessing before his bar mitzvah. He was surprised when the Rebbe asked him, in English. “Which sport do you like best?”
“Baseball,” the boy replied.
“Do you ever play baseball with your friends?” the Rebbe asked.
“Yes.”
“And do you ever see professional games?”
“Sure, I do!”
“What’s the difference between your games and the professionals’?”
“Rebbe, when we play, it’s just kids’ stuff, but the professional games are for real.”
The Rebbe addressed the boy with a broad smile. “In your heart you have a big field. The two sides are the yetzer tov, the good inclination and the yetzer hara, the negative drive. Until now (your bar mitzvah) they played kids’ stuff, but from now on the game is for real. Remember, just as in baseball, the side that plays best will win. If you want to - you can always overcome your negative drive.”
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Rabbi Dovid S. Polter Jewish Community Chaplaincy Program Jewish Senior Life
