Torah – The Real Goal
It was the time of the World Cup football competition, and France sent their best players to participate. A Jewish man approached me and asked if he was permitted to watch the game on television.
“Which country will you be rooting for?” I asked.
“France, of course. Only France deserves the World Cup!”
“How will you react each time the French representatives hit a goal?” I continued.
He thought for a moment, but I answered for him. “I can picture you sitting in front of the screen of that defiled device called a television, at the edge of your seat. Your entire body is tense and taught. Your face is swathed in sweat. Your lips murmur a prayer that France should win.”
The man smiled in response to my accurate description. I took the liberty to continue. “When the French football players hit a goal, you will jump out of your seat in exultation, shouting, ‘A goal! A goal!’
“Am I right?” I concluded.
His smile broadened, and he said, “Exactly right. That is how it will be.”
“It is self-understood that if France wins the World Cup, your joy will know no bounds.”
“That is the truth,” he agreed.
I looked him straight in the eye, and said, “If you truly love Hashem, keep away from the television! Hashem is scrupulous regarding His close ones. Your open display of ecstasy with France’s victory in comparison to your lackluster attitude toward Torah will ultimately incriminate you in Heaven.
“Additionally, all those hours sitting in front of the screen will be hours wasted from Torah study.
“Your best recourse would be to switch channels. Instead of desecrating your time in front of the television, you would be wise to sanctify it by studying Torah with a joyous heart.”
