The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris officially started one week ago today (July 26th), although a few team sports began on July 24th. According to the International Olympics Committee website, the “three values of olympism are excellence, respect and friendship. They constitute the foundation on which the Olympic movement builds its activities to promote sport, culture and education with a view to building a better world.” (Click the following link to learn more about the
ideals and aspirations for the Olympics in an ideal world).
Despite these lofty aspirations, the Olympics take place in a world that is fraught with strife, war, hatred, and violence. Over the years, these challenges have affected the Olympics in ways large and small. (Click the following link for
a timeline of events affecting the Olympics since the early 1900’s). This year is no exception.
The events erupting from October 7th with the horrific attack by Hamas on Israel and the ongoing resulting war have made life exceedingly difficult for the Israeli Olympic team, including: calls to ban their participation, protests by many different countries, including by the newly elected French hard-left politician Thomas Portes who told an anti-Israel protest last week that “Israeli athletes are not welcome at the Olympic Games in Paris” and demanded that the crowd “mobilize.” His remarks, and remarks and protests like these, are one of the reasons why a memorial ceremony for the victims of the 1972 Munich Olympics terrorist attack, seen as likely to provide a focal point for antisemitic and anti-Israel protests, had been moved from the Olympic Village to a secret location.
In response to Portes’ hateful comments, French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné said: "The Israeli delegation is welcome in France," adding that the call by Portes for the country's exclusion from the Games over the weekend had been "irresponsible and dangerous.”
Israel’s Olympic delegation departed for Paris on Monday, July 22nd with a team of 88 athletes participating in a competition marked by extraordinarily heightened security.
Israel Olympic Committee President Yael Arad called it a “victory” that the team was able to attend this year’s games, given all that had occurred in Israel since October 7th, along with the increase in antisemitism and anti-Zionism around the world since that time. Arad said: “Our first victory is that we are here and going, and that we didn’t give up and have been competing in hundreds of competitions since October 7.”
There are many lessons that we, as Jews living in Orange County, can glean from this. Here are a few:
One of the most compelling aspects of the Olympics is witnessing athletes overcome immense challenges. Whether it is showing up and being fully present, like the Israeli Olympic Team, despite the many obstacles, or balancing rigorous training with personal life, or pushing past moments of self-doubt, or overcoming injuries, these athletes embody the epitome of resilience. The Jewish people understand in our “
kishkes” – our “guts” what it means to be “resilient” through centuries of persecution, and hatred. Resilience is a cornerstone of our Jewish identity. Perhaps our Israeli Olympic team embodies the teaching found in
Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) 5:20, "Be bold as a leopard, light as an eagle, swift as a deer, and strong as a lion to do the will of the Eternal in Heaven." This teaching encourages us to face life's challenges with determination, fortitude, and strength.
At its very essence, the Olympics embodies the ideal of “unity in diversity” (although we know that we have not yet achieved this in reality). The Olympics brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and nations, all united by a common goal. This mirrors the Jewish concept of "
Klal Yisrael," the notion that the Jewish people are one people despite our disparate views, beliefs, attitudes, traditions, customs, and languages. Our tradition emphasizes the strength found in unity. Despite differences, we must stand together, support each other, and work towards a common goal. The presence of Israeli athletes on this global stage is a reminder of the importance of representing our people and values with pride and dignity.
The Olympics also emphasizes the importance of fair play, sportsmanship, and integrity. These values are deeply rooted in Jewish ethics. The Torah instructs us to "do what is right and good" (Deuteronomy 6:18), guiding us to act with honesty and integrity in all our endeavors. Just as athletes are expected to compete fairly and respect their opponents, we too are called to uphold ethical standards in our interactions and decisions.
Finally, while winning medals is a significant achievement, the joy of simply participating in the Olympics is equally celebrated. This aligns with the Jewish principle of "
simcha," or joy, in performing
mitzvot (commandments) and engaging in communal activities. The rabbis of old teach us, "Who is rich? One who rejoices in their portion" (
Pirkei Avot 4:1). Finding joy in the journey and in our daily lives is a vital aspect of Jewish living.
As we support our athletes from afar, let us remind ourselves we can all be Olympians by embracing the core values that embody the Olympic ethos, and our Jewish ethos, as we carry these lessons into our daily lives. Whether in the face of personal challenges, communal responsibilities, or global issues, the teachings of our tradition offer guidance and strength. Let us continue to foster resilience, finding unity in our diversity, committing ourselves to the highest of ethical standards, and finding joy in the every day aspects of our lives.
