Sportsmen or spectators?

Are you a spectator or a participant? Do you only watch your favourite soccer club, or do you sometimes kick a ball yourself?

A few years ago, it was decided to widen the seats at Wimbledon. Apparently, the problem was rather simple – obesity. It appears that fans that admire the tennis stars in action don’t get much exercise. The chairperson of the British Sports Council was prompted to state, “If only the admirers of sport would practice it themselves.”

The parsha this week is named after Korach, the cousin of Moses and a revolutionary who attempted to usurp the authority of Moses and Aaron. His ill-fated rebellion came to a bitter end when the earth opened and swallowed him and his followers, demonstrating to all that Moses and Aaron were truly chosen by G-d.

But why name a parsha of the Torah after a villain? Korach was a sinner, and is surely not a role model for us to emulate?

My saintly teacher and mentor, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, whose yahrzeit is observed next week, offered a novel approach. There’s one area where Korach can, indeed, be a good role model. What was Korach’s burning desire in life? It was to be a Kohen Gadol (high priest). He coveted Aaron’s position of honour.

Now, being a high priest meant much more than just fame and fortune, glory, or privilege. Many sacred responsibilities came with the job. It was no easy task to be a Kohen Gadol. There were numerous restrictions – where he could go; what kind of activities he could be involved in; whom he could marry, etc. Yet, Korach was single-minded in his aspiration to become the high priest.

Said the Rebbe, this is something we can all learn from Korach, namely the yearning to serve G-d in the holiest capacity, the craving to be a Kohen Gadol. Would it be that all of us shared similar aspirations to holiness! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if each one of us longed for a life of sanctity dedicated to the service of G-d?

How often are we only too happy to allow others to handle the sacred stuff. “You can put on tefillin for me, rabbi.” And your bobba can keep kosher for you; and the South African Jewish Board of Deputies can fight antisemitism for you; and Chabad will save the world for you. And what will you yourself do? Watch them?

It’s interesting that in many parts of the world, much of the financial support for religious institutions comes from people who aren’t themselves religious. These are fine people who really do believe in the truth of Judaism, but they haven’t got sufficient commitment to practice it themselves. Nor do they believe their own children will do it. Who then will defend the faith and perpetuate Judaism and the Jewish people? So they sponsor a religious institution to do it for them.

South Africans are obsessed with sport, but we need to be more than spectators. It’s wonderful to support the activists among us. But let’s learn from Korach, who wanted so badly to be a high priest himself. Let’s not be content with watching others. Let each of us participate in the Jewish idea. And let’s do it personally.