Devorah, if you don't put things in context, a serious analysis can't be made. The Maccabiah Games was a Jewish response to fascist movements across Europe that mocked the Jews for "not being physically strong and athletic". Also the games made possible for Jews to practise sport whenever the sport organizations of the goim closed their gates to them. It was a way of providing the Jews with some pride, which also made possible for thousands of Jews to make Aliyah at a time when the British didn't allow it formally. Sports aren't forbidden according to the Torah. The Rambam spoke many times about doing exercise and watching your health. The only time when it's forbidden is when you become addicted to it, to the point that you don't take care of your spiritual health, you don't learn Torah, you don't keep mitzvot seriously, etc. The Jew is not supposed to be physically weak. That's part of the exile mentality. The maccabees were holy warriors, not little cowards that run away from a fight.
I didn’t go to your link yet, but just by the title I also thought of the Greek Sports Events during their presence in Eretz Yisrael. I had that same thought when I saw what was going on there (in the news). We are almost at the ‘prancing young men’.
By the way, I am disgusted by those so-called cultural events of undressed men prancing around on stage and this is called “Dance”. But it seems the nations are headed in this direction and there is no stopping them, short of “nature” revolting.
And what is the stance on physical fitness detached from sports / sporting events and Western notions / non-Jewish of physicality, do you at least concede such a distinction exists?
As the first Anonymous mentioned the Rambam and others did empathize exercise and watching one's health, while there are issues depending on an individual's fitness goals (e.g. competitive sporting events, bodybuilding, etc) and whether there is gender separation at gyms (amongst other things), am not inclined as other Jewish sects have done (with its own serious health consequences) to dismiss fitness in general as completely treif so long as the focus is on one's personal health and well-being.
The issue here is whether an organized gaming competition patterned after the Greek olympics should continue to be allowed to use the name of the tzadikim who fought against such things during their lifetimes.
That aside, speaking as a medical professional, today most physicians agree that walking 30 minutes a day provides adequate exercise to maintain health.
Understand. Just that some within the Jewish world like to cite that or similar arguments to justify their sedentary lifestyle and not take up exercise.
Agree with walking though am more biased towards weight training.
Devorah, if you don't put things in context, a serious analysis can't be made. The Maccabiah Games was a Jewish response to fascist movements across Europe that mocked the Jews for "not being physically strong and athletic". Also the games made possible for Jews to practise sport whenever the sport organizations of the goim closed their gates to them. It was a way of providing the Jews with some pride, which also made possible for thousands of Jews to make Aliyah at a time when the British didn't allow it formally. Sports aren't forbidden according to the Torah. The Rambam spoke many times about doing exercise and watching your health. The only time when it's forbidden is when you become addicted to it, to the point that you don't take care of your spiritual health, you don't learn Torah, you don't keep mitzvot seriously, etc. The Jew is not supposed to be physically weak. That's part of the exile mentality. The maccabees were holy warriors, not little cowards that run away from a fight.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t go to your link yet, but just by the title I also thought of the Greek Sports Events during their presence in Eretz Yisrael. I had that same thought when I saw what was going on there (in the news). We are almost at the ‘prancing young men’.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I am disgusted by those so-called cultural events of undressed men prancing around on stage and this is called “Dance”. But it seems the nations are headed in this direction and there is no stopping them, short of “nature” revolting.
ReplyDeleteAnd what is the stance on physical fitness detached from sports / sporting events and Western notions / non-Jewish of physicality, do you at least concede such a distinction exists?
ReplyDeleteAs the first Anonymous mentioned the Rambam and others did empathize exercise and watching one's health, while there are issues depending on an individual's fitness goals (e.g. competitive sporting events, bodybuilding, etc) and whether there is gender separation at gyms (amongst other things), am not inclined as other Jewish sects have done (with its own serious health consequences) to dismiss fitness in general as completely treif so long as the focus is on one's personal health and well-being.
The issue here is whether an organized gaming competition patterned after the Greek olympics should continue to be allowed to use the name of the tzadikim who fought against such things during their lifetimes.
DeleteThat aside, speaking as a medical professional, today most physicians agree that walking 30 minutes a day provides adequate exercise to maintain health.
Understand. Just that some within the Jewish world like to cite that or similar arguments to justify their sedentary lifestyle and not take up exercise.
DeleteAgree with walking though am more biased towards weight training.
Well, its over. Maccabia Sports Event and yes a huge show of unity, but for the wrong reason.
ReplyDeleteThe only true Jewish unity is around the Torah of Hashem.
Delete