February 8 , 2009
 It was an interesting weekend to be a Red Sox fan. As the snow was melting down so was Major League Baseball. Not a homerun in sight and the news was buzzing. Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees was accused of taking steroids and human growth hormone in 2003. The anointed best player in baseball cheated and now is a talking point of every sports outlet worldwide. Now he is a Yankee so I do feel a bit vindicated as a Boston fan but more disappointed as a sports fan. A-Rod, love him or hate him, is a great baseball talent. He also was a ray of hope to win back the all time homerun title from the original steroid user Barry Bonds. A natural alternative to better balling through chemistry.
 Today in class I taught the 6th graders about Middot, or Jewish virtues of living a good life. Cheating, although not implicitly mentioned, would not be one of these. There actually is a middah that talks of taking care of one’s body. Putting dangerous drugs into it would go against this rule. But I am also interested in the idea of Teshuvah, that all of us can be redeemed through a process of acceptance of our faults and making amends.
Alex Rodriguez cheated and he should pay the penalty, although he will face a media and public flaying saved for major felons. The flip side of great fame is great fame. With no place to hide, will A-Rod step up to the plate and do the right thing. He could just admit as a friend said to me today, "I did it and I am sorry. I will go and talk to kids and adults and tell them that I was wrong. Then you know what would happen? We would forgive him."
You know what Alex, that is true - even this Red Sox fan would have great respect for you. And you know what, it would be a very Jewish act of middot also.
Be well,
Rabbi David Burstein |
