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From Green Bay To Crown Heights

Football is like life - it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.

Vince Lombardi

Vince'le - In my opinion you took football MUCH too seriously. It is really just a game. A violent one at that. But your observation about life is true. Plus, I liked your hats. Perfect for davening back in the sixties when people wore those small brimmed hats.


Today is the Lubavitcher Rebbe's yahrzheit. There is much to say but I will suffice with one story I heard from the Rebbe Shlita [Tolna - not Chabad...]. One time someone was told by the Rebbe to do something. The person claimed that it was too difficult because it was against his nature.

The Rebbe replied "By nature I am an introvert and I have to overcome my nature and appear in public. But I do it."

Some people thrive when appearing in public. The Rebbe, however, felt uncomfortable doing so. For over FORTY YEARS day in and day out the Rebbe had to overcome his basic nature!!

Wow!

Why? Go with what comes easily?!

No! Life isn't supposed to be easy. Sometimes the will of Hashem is that we should do what is difficult and we must overcome our basic nature. This is called in the Holy Books - "Mesirus Nefesh".

Maybe in the merit of his self-sacrifice he has thousands upon thousands of people who are willing to completely sacrifice their comfortable lives and live under the most difficult circumstances in order to bring Jews closer to Hashem.

Baruch Hashem, in this generation we no longer have to DIE for G-d, but we must learn how to LIVE for Him. A different type of Mesirus Nefesh.

Love and blessings!!


WE WANT MOSHIACH NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Life is nth times more challenging than football, though. The challenge and fortitude last pretty much as long as the game and practices do. In the interim one can take a breather.

Life on the other hand is 24/7. Upon a cursory glance life does not require so much strength and consistency. But the Jew knows how every second is a challenge -- and a new one at that. "

"eizehu gibur -- hakovesh et yitzro"

So if we look upon those superstar football players and go "oooo aaaa" over their fortitude -- how much more so should we go "oooo aaaa" when we see someone like HaRav Nevenzhal walking in the street!

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About me

  • I'm Rabbi Ally Ehrman
  • From Old City Jerusalem, Israel
  • I am a Rebbe in Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh.
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