America’s favorite pastime is going to a ball game to watch their favorite team play against the visiting team. My favorites happen to be the Yankees. In their uniforms, they take the field and sing the national anthem. The fans cheer, watching the unity amongst the teammates.
As each batter arrives at home plate, he faces the nine opposing players. He wants to hit the ball. A batter can get on base each time, but a ball game is won based on the entire team’s performance.
The manager trains the team. The captain leads them. In 1979, the Yankees tragically lost their captain Thurman Munson. To survive that tragedy, the team united stronger than ever. A united team can win the World Series. On a spiritual note, we have lost many great leaders but with proper faith and closeness to Hashem, we are able to unite and use their training techniques to succeed.
On a spiritual level, life is a ball game. In order to be a great player, one needs proper training, character and to be a team player. The stadium represents the world we live in. The spectators and fans are family, friends and ancestors cheering us to victory. We receive a standing ovation when we hit a home run and receive positive reinforcement when we strike out. On a daily basis, we are faced with many challenges to get on base. Faith, perseverance and proper training create a strategy for victory. Surrounding one’s self with a strong team ensures base hits and home runs.
Baseball isn’t only about getting on base and hitting home runs. As the team takes the field, defensive strategies helps defeat the opposing forces. A person needs defensive strategies as well. We need to create a positive environment, with a positive team of friends and family. Sometimes challenges prevent a person from handling a negative environment. This can cause a slump in his service towards his family and Hashem. Getting close to a mentor, rabbi or friend can help a person out of his slump. Prayer and faith in Hashem will guarantee one’s success on the team.
Praying with a minyan is great teamwork. When we pray for others, we assist our teammates. When we all pray for each other we can hit the highest levels towards Hashem.
Our mentors are our leaders who invested their time to groom us into a nation of unity. Our nation has been a united team for the past 3,000 years. Unity creates bonds of love and trust. We need the prayers of our teammates and the fans in heaven to cheer us on to the ultimate redemption and winning the spiritual World Series, when we see the rebuilding of Jerusalem in our time. Amen.
