Be a Player | Rabbi Yehuda Zev Klein

Let me share with you an incredible story. The year was 1955. The Lubavitcher Rebbe had just taken over the mantle of leadership from his father-in-law, R’ Yosef Yitzchak. There was a man by the name of Shimshon Stock, and he had a very close friendship with the Rebbe, even prior to him becoming Rebbe. Shimshon had a close friend who was about to make a Bar Mitzvah for his son. So he urged him to get an audience with the Rebbe, known as a Yechidus, to get a Bracha for his Bar Mitzvah boy. Finally, the day arrived, and Shimshon ushered this friend and the Bar Mitzvah boy into 770 Eastern Parkway, to meet with the Rebbe. The Rebbe greets them with his customary smile and his warm handshake. And the Rebbe spoke with them briefly. and then he bentched the Bar Mitzvah boy, that he should grow up to be a Talmid Chacham, and to be a source of Nachas for his entire family. And as they're about to leave, the Rebbe turns to the Bar Mitzvah boy and he asks him, Are you a baseball fan? And the boy was a little startled. This is a question he didn't anticipate. He says: Yes, I am a baseball fan. Are you a fan of the Dodgers or of the Yankees? I'm a fan of the Yankees. Does your father share the same feelings for the Yankees as you do? He's actually a Dodgers fan, the boy says. Does he ever take you out to the games? the Rebbe asked. Well, sometimes he does take me to the game. Actually, last week we went out to the game. Nu, how was the game? It was actually very disappointing, said the boy. The Dodgers were losing 9 to 2 in the sixth inning and we decided to leave. Did the players also leave when you left? asked the Rebbe. And the boy smiled. Rebbe, the players can't leave in the middle of the game. Why not? asked the Rebbe. Explain to me, how does this work? There are players and there are fans, explained the boy. The fans can come when they want, they can leave when they want. They don't impact the game at all and the game continues even after they leave. But the players, they have to stay on the field and give it all they got until the final out, until the game is officially over. And the Rebbe smiled. This is the lesson I wanted to teach you about Judaism. In the arena of life, there are players and there are fans. Be a player. We all need you. The Rebbe was teaching us something so profound. Hashem has plenty of spectators. He's looking for players. People who are willing to stay on the field, even when it's difficult. People who are willing to live with Mesirus Nefesh, to live with Kedushah, to live with commitment, even when it's hard. It's true, being a player is not easy. It demands courage and sacrifice and perseverance. But the rewards are enormous. So don't be a fan and give up. Give it all you got and be a player.