Go New York, go!
Did you see the pictures? Hundreds of thousands packed the Canyon of Heroes for the Knicks' ticker-tape parade. Fans boarded trains at four in the morning. Grown adults wept. Complete strangers embraced.
For non-fans, it is irrational. For the good of society, it is essential.
Arthur Brooks noted that sports fandom is one of the last great sources of social capital in America. At a time when loneliness is rising and civic organizations are declining, rooting for a team creates a shared identity that transcends politics, race, religion, and socioeconomic status. For a few hours, people stop seeing one another as opponents and begin seeing themselves as teammates. In a fractured world, fandom creates community.
Judaism has always understood that human beings were not created to live as isolated individuals. We prefer prayer in shul because “b’rov am hadrat Melech - God is glorified in a crowd.” Chazal teach that a person should never separate himself from the tzibbur, the community. The Midrash likens Israel to a bundle of reeds. One reed can be broken easily, but together they become unbreakable. We are literally better together.
The Torah's vision has never been merely personal spirituality. It is covenantal community.
There might be an even deeper Jewish lesson in sports fandom. I found an article entitled “Five Halachot of Sports Fans” which identifies some important traits we can learn from fans that can be applied to a higher purpose.
1) Knowledge - Good fans know their teams. They know the player, the schedules, and all the stats. You can’t be an ignorant fan, and the more you know, the more intense the experience is. Judaism, likewise, begins – and grows – through knowledge. The more you know, the richer the experience, and the more likely it is to be passed to the next generation.
2) Passion - Real fans are interested, concerned, and invested. They care deeply. Some fans may take it a little too far (e.g. face-painting, tattoos), but even ordinary fans show a little excitement. The best Judaism is a vibrant, passionate Judaism. After all, one of our most popular slogans is “L’chaim!”
3) Be Present - Fans love attending games, but they also follow their teams even when they don’t. Showing up is not the only way to show support. Attending in person is an important part of many Jewish rituals. At the same time, never underestimate the power of presence through a kind word, a gesture, or making sure a person knows you care even when you can’t be there in person.
4) Identify - There’s a reason people wear sports gear. It is a proud sign of affiliation and demonstratable sense of connection. You can spot a fan a mile away. We need a similar level of Jewish pride by living openly and unapologetically as Jews.
5) Consistency: Fans are there through good times and bad, through wins and losses, and even through decades-long dry spells. Jews are the “ever-hopeful people.” Af al pi she’yitmamei’a - even though Moshiach may take a while, I await his coming every single day. 53 years is nothing! Judaism is most effective when built upon small, consistent acts, patience, and steadfast faith.
As powerful and positive as fandom is, Judaism places a premium on getting in the game!
The Talmud teaches “mitzvah bo yoteir mi’shlucho,” there is greater value in performing an act oneself than sending a representative. Delegation has its place, but Judaism values personal involvement. One who bakes the matzah, builds the sukkah, or prepares for Shabbat with his own hands experiences the mitzvah differently than one who merely observes from a distance. One can’t merely be a fan.
Yesterday was Gimmel Tammuz, the yahrzeit of the late Lubavitcher Rebbe. The Rebbe had a way of communicating profound lessons through seemingly ordinary interactions. It is this ability which has made him such an enduring and inspiring leader. I am reminded of a beautiful story in which the Rebbe talked sports but taught a deep message.
Shimshon Stock’s father was friendly with the Rebbe, and Stock himself knew the Rebbe from the time before he assumed the movement’s leadership. He recalled an incident around 1951 when Stock was walking with a man and his son, both devoted Brooklyn Dodgers fans, who were in route to a game at nearby Ebbets Field. Suddenly Stock saw the Rebbe walking toward them, and he introduced the men to him.
The Rebbe started to talk to the pair, particularly the son, about baseball. The boy, assuming that the Rebbe was quite uninformed about baseball, mentioned in passing that when the team that one favors is either winning or losing by a large margin, many spectators leave the game without bothering to wait for the end.
“Do the ball players leave?” asked the Rebbe.
“Of course not,” the young man said. “They are not allowed to leave. They stay to the end and keep trying to win.”
The Rebbe smiled at the young man. “This is like a lesson in Judaism I want to teach you. When you pray, you’re playing with the team. You’re not just a spectator; you’re in the game. You can be either a fan or a player. Be a player.”
It is wonderful to be a fan of Judaism, to admire Jewish history, to cheer for Israel, and to celebrate Jewish continuity. But Jews need to do more than fill the stands. God put each of us on the roster. Some of us start, while others ride the bench. Some teach Torah, and some support Torah. Some visit the sick, and others create community. Every player matters.
The excitement surrounding the Knicks championship demonstrates the extraordinary power of shared identity. Fandom is good for society because it reminds us that we belong to something larger than ourselves. Judaism goes one step further. Cheer loudly. Celebrate community. Wear the colors proudly. But when the game that truly matters begins, don't remain in the stands. Get in the game.
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