Lebron

Considering how extensive the attraction of popularity of spectator sports are within our society, I have always found an analysis of the Torah perspective of it to be of interest. Of course, on the simplest level, any involvement in spectator sports can be labeled bitul Torah, a waste of Torah time. Yet we do not spend our entire days learning and we also do need forms of relaxation so, within that perspective, the question becomes more complex.

My first foray into this subject is an article on the Nishma website entitled The Popularity of Spectator Sports: A Torah View which I invite you to read. The events involving Lebron James, the basketball star, last week have further interested me in the topic, specifically because of the reason he presented as to why he was going to a new team. It wasn't the reason per se that caught my attention, it was he further explanation for why this reason should suffice that interested me. He simply stated that he made his decision considering simply what was best for him. It is true that he also mentioned that he was concerned about how his mother would respond to his decision but when she said she was happy with it because it was what would make him happy, he was overjoyed.

This is something we must consider in our contemplation of the general moral climate and our further investigation even of Torah values. We are all told to be concerned about selfishness. Here we have a case, though, where the individual explained his decision by stating that his focus was selfish. Its about me. What was even more fascinating about this was that this was even his explanation for why would should accept his decision. Its about me and because of this and that I made the decision solely in consideration of what I want, you should accept it.

Being one who advocates for the grey, I cannot simply state that this attitude is necessarily morally problematic. On the other hand, I also cannot say that it was a reflection of the moral highroad. Oftentimes balancing self-interest or need with the needs or interests of others is a difficult challenge. Its not that Lebron made a decision considering his desires over those of others. What is of interest is that he stated that this balancing was not even a concern-- it was all about himself and his desires. Does this, in the long run, really matter? Not really -- but the language of explanation must still be a focus.

Rabbi Ben Hecht