Torah – The True Goal
In 1998, when the world-wide soccer games were at their peak, the streets of France were completely empty. The entire nation was glued to their televisions, rooting for France’s victory. I was also interested in hearing the outcome of the games. This was not because I was any fan of soccer, chalilah, but because of the mussar lesson I could learn from a nation that deprives itself of sleep and rejoices with jubilation all through the night.
The players kick a ball and chase it determinedly, sweating and panting profusely. Their minds are only on the game, engrossed in keeping their adversary away from the ball and striking a goal. When they score a point, their joy knows no bounds.
For the Torah-observant Jew, life is similar to a game of soccer. One must “sweat it out” to the point of exhaustion, in order to keep his Yetzer Hara at bay, never allowing him to disturb his Avodat Hashem. When a Jew conquers his Evil Inclination, he has scored a goal on High. The angels cheer his success as he reaps untold reward in this world, as well as in the World to Come.
As I observed the reaction of millions to their nation’s victory, the actualization of their dreams, I pictured the joy of Am Yisrael when Hashem will bring back the captives of Tzion. At that time, Hashem’s glory will fill the entire world. True to form, when the French nation claimed victory and earned the World Cup, their cup overflowed with exuberance, as they celebrated throughout the night.
This joy was fleeting. The joy which we will feel at the time of the future redemption will be true and everlasting.
As I noticed the players accept the World Cup from the president, kissing him before millions, I imagined the sight of the future. At that time, Hashem will grant 310 spiritual worlds to the tzaddikim. All will gaze at this sight of eternal joy.
As I sat at home on this fateful night in France, I offered a prayer to the Creator: “Our Father and King, avenge the blood of Your servants; avenge the honor of the Shechinah, downtrodden in this terrible exile. Arise and take mercy on Tzion. Let the redeemed of Hashem return to Tzion with joy and eternal gladness upon their heads.”
