The two most popular posts on this blog are variants of one common theme.
Athletes as Role Models.
It makes sense. I enjoy sports, I am passionate about education and I love the moral tension created by appreciating both of those areas of life. It appears that people like reading about it as well.
Learn about what I [...]
Posts Tagged ‘sports’
Sometimes Role Models Are Athletes
Johnny Weir Gives Into Bullies and Changes His Fur Costume
Figure skater Johnny Weir set off animal activists with a small fox fur trim on his skating costume.
Most Olympic skaters wear pretty outrageous costumes for their routines during the Olympics and Weir is known for his “over-the-top” designs. His outfit was supposed to have a small trim of fox fur on the left shoulder. After [...]
Tim Tebow’s Pro-Life Superbowl Ad is Heartwarming and Reckless
This post has been crossposted to DovBear.
UPDATE: RETRACTION AND APOLOGY HERE
The most well-known athlete in America might be Tim Tebow.
Tebow is possibly the most celebrated, successful college football player of all time. He was a 2 time national champion with the Florida Gators and a Heisman Trophy winner. His success, as well as his good [...]
The Zen Master Speaks on Curses, Karma and Mitzvahs
A very interesting news item came my way today.
Last Friday night, The Zen Master, Phil Jackson, Head Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach, was asked about the Los Angeles Clippers. It seems that the Clippers are cursed.
A near perpetual resident of the cellar in the NBA standings, the Clippers have been blessed with [...]
Can’t We All Just Get Along?
A few days ago a photo was posted on Twitter by the NBA. Somehow, this photo has been on my mind since I saw it.
In sports, two teams oppose each other under the pretense that they are enemies. Their fans may even dislike one another, (see Celtics / Lakers, Yankees / Red Sox, UNC / [...]
NFL Football: Game of Wimps and Crybabies
Every casual sports fan in the universe has heard about the big 4th down play that cost the Patriots a victory in their epic matchup with the Colts this past Sunday
Facing 4 and 2 yards to go on their own 28 yard line, Belichik elected to go for the first down and not punt the [...]
Matisyahu, NBC and The Olympic Winter Games Make A Great Team
I first heard of Matisyahu while working as a Campus Rabbi at USC. The Jewish students on campus were really into his music (this was ~5 years ago) and some of my students invited me to join them at a Matisyahu concert.
He was performing at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood which was right near my [...]
Teamwork: Important in Sports, More Important in Life
Rosh Hashana at Pacific Jewish Center was wonderful. The services were inspiring, the attendance was excellent and the mood properly reflected the importance of the days.
I spoke from the pulpit several times over the holiday.
There was certainly an over-arching theme to my sermons. Each had its own individual message but overall they reflected an idea [...]
Parenting: Unconditional Love
Parenting has been on my mind lately.
Earlier today I posted about Kim Clijsters and the sacrifices of working mothers.
It must be the impending Rosh Hashana that is influencing these thoughts of parents and children.
Parenting is tough job. There are no vacations. There is no financial remuneration. It is oftentimes thankless.
Also we are so clueless as [...]
Kim Clijsters: Tennis Champion and Mother
Something has been on mind the last few days. The last three blog posts I have attempted to write have been all on the same topic. I have decided to turn them into two blog posts and this is the first of a two part series.
The topic is parenting. The relationship between parents and their [...]
Confirming Our Suspicions That Jews Do Run The World
A few months ago, the New York Jets football team made headlines when they moved they 4 PM Sunday game on Erev (the day before) Yom Kippur to 1 PM. This time change would give Jewish people wishing to observe Yom Kippur the opportunity to be home before the start of Yom Kippur at sundown [...]
Brett Favre, Treason and Teshuva
This week’s big sports news involved my favorite athlete to hate, Brett Favre.
I mentioned Favre a while back in a post about immaturity and athletes. Back then, I was contrasting the complimentary way in which Favre is recognized for his youthful exuberance and the way athletes who act immaturely and hold out for money or [...]
Summer Reading
During the summer months many people find some extra time to catch up on their reading. By reading, I mean books with paper, ink, covers and turning pages. I don’t mean on a backlit display plugged into an electrical outlet.
This summer, I have been too busy to do any real substantive offline reading. I have [...]
Manny Being Manny | Some 'Gladwellian' Insight
This is Manny. Manny Ramirez.
Believe it or not, Manny is one of the greatest right handed hitters in Baseball history. He is also a 2 time World Series Champion and 1 time World Series MVP. Manny was also recently suspended from baseball for 50 games for violating the league’s Substance Abuse Policy when he tested [...]
Ron Artest Is Going To The Lakers | What Do I Think?
Yes, the red-headed step child of the NBA is going to the Lakers.
There are folks who will be up in arms over a known “thug” joining their beloved Lakers.
The same Ron Artest who was suspended for one full year from participating in NBA games for his egregious actions when he was a young up and [...]
Athletes as Role Models?
A few months back I hinted at a future post about athletes and their role in our society as role models.
This past weekend I was reminded about my feelings on the subject. What I feel is what I believe to be the Torah approach but is of consequence and significance to anyone and everyone.
Over the [...]
Another Gladwell Gem | How David Beats Goliath
I cannot get enough Malcolm Gladwell.
Every time I read his work I walk away impressed, enriched and thirsting for more.
Previously I blogged about his book Outliers, which was super. Today I am writing about a recent Gladwell column in the New Yorker. I don’t subscribe to the New Yorker but periodically I check it our [...]
Youthfulness vs. Maturity
A few days ago I read a really great article on espn.com (- not kidding).
The article is about three of the biggest prima donnas in sports. Even if you don’t follow / like sports this article is a worthwhile read.
The social commentary in the article speaks volumes about American culture. We live in a world [...]
Time Marches On
This article hit me in a very interesting way today.
I am not that old. I am 27 years young. I slowly began to notice becoming older when certain milestones occurred. First, I noticed athletes whom I can remember their debuts, retiring. I am not talking about those athletes who are only around for a year [...]
Clothes and the NBA
You thought I was done with clothes?
Not at all. The NBA had huge image issue a few years back. The image issue resulted from a few on the court incidents along with the perception that hip-hop culture was a) dangerous b) a major part of the NBA players lives’.
Commissioner David Stern sought to change the [...]
You Have Got to See This! | It's about Lego
I love Lego. My brother and I spent countless hours in our childhood building magnificent Lego creations. My son Rami has recently added Lego building to his skill set – he is quite good!
If I had to choose one toy to play with I would certainly choose Lego. It is the perfect toy.
Don’t believe me? [...]
Shortcuts
On the home page for ESPN.com I noticed a new article by Paul Lukas of Uni Watch fame. Lukas writes about the nuances and idiosyncrasies of sports uniforms.He notices everything from commemorative patches to new piping along the sides of a jersey. Nothing gets past the ever watchful eye of Uni Watch.
The article that caught [...]
Ladies and Gentlemen, A Moment of Silence for… A Moment of Silence
Yes. It is true. The Moment of Silence in Public Schools in Illinois is unconstitutional. Let’s take a moment of silence to remember the moment of silence.
A total of 18 states have similar statutes in their legislation giving students a moment of silence or prayer during school time.
In 1969 the Illinois legislature passed the following [...]
We Don't Get No R-E-S-P-E-C-T! How do you feel now?
Ravens use an old motivational ploy: lack of respect – Los Angeles Times.
I was in Yeshiva in Baltimore (I was still in High School actually) when the Ravens moved to Baltimore. They became a favorite team of mine right away and they still are today. They still play second fiddle to my favorite NFL team, [...]
Kobe and Zehirus
Kobe Bryant’s Work Ethic
It is undisputed that Kobe Bryant possesses superior basketball talent to every human being on the planet. That is not enough to be the best basketball player on the planet. There is a discipline aspect that Kobe excells in beyond his inborn talents. Kobe is the first in the gym and the [...]
